Good example of an early something but I wish I had it. The nautical theme is perhaps a hint as to its intended use. I tend to agree with the opium/tea holder depending on the size. Can I have it?
It’s a seal. They used them to press the hot wax to seal envelopes. The nautical theme was used because it’s possible this belonged to a shipping company.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Hand carved ivory keeper for opium, tea, tobacco?!
April 12th, 2009 at 4:07 am
A shaker for blotting sand or “pounce.”
April 13th, 2009 at 2:08 am
Is it a scrimshaw needle case?
April 19th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Salt and Pepper Shakers
April 20th, 2009 at 7:14 am
I think it is a toothpick holder
April 20th, 2009 at 7:15 am
second thought is it a snuff container
April 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am
tooth pick holder
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:51 am
How about a holder for smelling salts.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
A match box
April 25th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Definitely a incense burner.
April 26th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
A used needle holder
April 28th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Hard to tell, without knowing the size of the object. Looks like it could be a thing to contain sand for letter writing with an ink pen.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:31 am
A multi-use container
May 4th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Shaving powder or Talc dispenser.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Aneedlecase
May 19th, 2009 at 12:36 am
I’d go with incence holder or it could be to burn incence – charcoal on the bottom and the smoke out of the top.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:17 am
It’s an old Old Spice container.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Good example of an early something but I wish I had it. The nautical theme is perhaps a hint as to its intended use. I tend to agree with the opium/tea holder depending on the size. Can I have it?
June 6th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
a toothpick holder made of ivory for a sailor
June 8th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Used to freshen your suitcase……fill with cedar or potporree
June 18th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Hmmmm…. It must be a salt and pepper shaker, or a container to hold poupori.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:09 am
the sea theme makes me think a salt shaker, ie sea salts…
July 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
A thimble
July 17th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Reminds me of a needle case, however, unsure since it has holes in the top.
July 25th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
a candle holder?
August 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
It’s a seal. They used them to press the hot wax to seal envelopes. The nautical theme was used because it’s possible this belonged to a shipping company.
August 15th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Incense holder and burner? But I like the wax seal idea
November 21st, 2009 at 10:12 am
I believe this is an ivory talc container
January 7th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Scrimshaw wax holder for the Captain when he signed his name to seal his sig on letters.
January 12th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
A toothpick holder
March 28th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Depending upon its size, it could be a holder for women’s elaborate glass hat pins.
April 11th, 2010 at 11:44 am
This is a Victorian Age, Scrim Shaw, Hat Pin Holder. Sailors would carve ivory trinkets for their sweet hearts while at sea.
April 26th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
It’s a Victorian era Scrimshaw hat pin holder. Sailors made trinkets like this for their sweethearts whilst at sea, waiting for wind.
June 28th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
It is not a wax seal, the wax would clog the holes in the top. It is a toothpick holder.