Gold "book"

[dirtfisher1127]

I recently purchased this little "book" from a local estate. It tests 21K gold (not plated) and weighs about 1.75 ounces. Anyone have any idea what it is, or what it may have been used for? Thanks!

 

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[dirtfisher1127]

P.S.--I'm thinking maybe a container to hold a small prayer book like the Qu'ran or other religious article, but this is just a guess!

 

[doublet2a]

1.74 Oz. of 21K.. That's a lot of gold my friend.!!!

Tim

 

[dirtfisher1127]

1.74 Oz. of 21K.. That's a lot of gold my friend.!!!

Tim

Agreed! I know you weren't suggesting this, but what a shame it would be to melt down such a beautiful piece of art! In my VERY limited way, I'm trying to collect and preserve some of these pieces, but the money runs out far quicker than the desire to purchase! Thanks so much for your reply....I was beginning to think "there weren't none."

 

[surf]

Hey dirt fisher,

Beautiful piece sir! How does it open? What is the height?

I'm thinking it a victorian calling card case. It's the gold standard of whatever it is, that's for sure.

 

[dirtfisher1127]

Thank you! It has a tiny latch about midway down the center--a hinged bar with a hole in it that goes over a post. I can't recall exact dimensions, and the piece is locked up, but as best I can remember, it's about 2 1/2" tall and about 2" wide--I do recall trying a modern business card in it, and it wouldn't fit into it--maybe they had smaller ones back in those days.

 

[dirtfisher1127]

OOPS! Just looked back at the pics, and it's about 1 and 3/4" wide and 2 and 1/2" tall.

 

[Bryanhashemi]

playing cards or cigarette case!! nice!

 

[diggummup]

I do recall trying a modern business card in it, and it wouldn't fit into it--maybe they had smaller ones back in those days.

Calling cards were basically the same size unless you were a married woman or a child. Here is a little info on sizes of calling cards- paper section

I think it's a beautiful piece handcrafted by a skilled goldsmith. The motif appears Egyptian or eastern Indian. Other than that I have nothing.

 

[nhbenz]

Many rosary cases are book shaped, and of approximately that size.
But similarly, so are many vestas or match safes.

 

[dirtfisher1127]

playing cards or cigarette case!! nice!

Thanks for taking the time to help!

 

[dirtfisher1127]

Many rosary cases are book shaped, and of approximately that size.
But similarly, so are many vestas or match safes.

Rosary case sounds like a DEFINITE possibility........Vesta case-maybe, but there is no striker other than the wirework, and that is very delicate. I'm liking rosary case! Thanks!

 

[dirtfisher1127]

Calling cards were basically the same size unless you were a married woman or a child. Here is a little info on sizes of calling cards- paper section

I think it's a beautiful piece handcrafted by a skilled goldsmith. The motif appears Egyptian or eastern Indian. Other than that I have nothing.

Agreed! The motif and the fact that opens the opposite way from our books, etc. leans me toward Middle Eastern, too. Thanks for supporting my theories!

 

[capt-zero]

The mark appears to be an Ottoman Empire tughra mark (however, when zooming in on the image it gets a little fuzzy and I may be wrong). The use of high karat gold was common there. Very nice find. Whatever you do, do not scrap it. It should fetch a high dollar at an fine arts auction. Pitiful return from feebay though. probably not much more than scrap value.

 

[dirtfisher1127]

The mark appears to be an Ottoman Empire tughra mark (however, when zooming in on the image it gets a little fuzzy and I may be wrong). The use of high karat gold was common there. Very nice find. Whatever you do, do not scrap it. It should fetch a high dollar at an fine arts auction. Pitiful return from feebay though. probably not much more than scrap value.

Thanks SO MUCH capt-zero--no one has ever been able to even take a guess at the hallmark until now! I will try to research your findings, and if I can figure out a way, will try and post a better hallmark picture, although the hallmark itself is kind of blurry--like the punch slipped when it was struck.

 

[diggummup]

I found a miniature Qur'an case that dates to the 11th century. I'm not saying that yours is this old, judging by the design it isn't, but it does show that there is such an object and the size is right too. By the way it sold for upper 5 figures. A FATIMID GOLD FILIGREE MINIATURE QUR'AN CASE | EGYPT, 11TH CENTURY | Islamic Art Auction</li> | Christie's

 

[capt-zero]

I understand and sometimes the Tughra is very small; I have an Ottoman silver bracelet and it took me four days to find the mark. The mark measured less than 1mm by 1mm. However, the Ottoman empire was swept for silver and gold by four different countries during and just after the First World War, any original Ottoman jewelry or precious metal anything fetches a very high price to certain collectors.

 

[dirtfisher1127]

I found a miniature Qur'an case that dates to the 11th century. I'm not saying that yours is this old, judging by the design it isn't, but it does show that there is such an object and the size is right too. By the way it sold for upper 5 figures. A FATIMID GOLD FILIGREE MINIATURE QUR'AN CASE | EGYPT, 11TH CENTURY | Islamic Art Auction</li> | Christie's

WOW--that sure does look like a very similar style to me! Thank you so much for doing this important research--in several months of looking I haven't run across this information.....THANKS AGAIN!

 

[dirtfisher1127]

I understand and sometimes the Tughra is very small; I have an Ottoman silver bracelet and it took me four days to find the mark. The mark measured less than 1mm by 1mm. However, the Ottoman empire was swept for silver and gold by four different countries during and just after the First World War, any original Ottoman jewelry or precious metal anything fetches a very high price to certain collectors.

Thank you again for all your help--I'm hoping the mystery is about to be solved!

 

[diggummup]

Thank you again for all your help--I'm hoping the mystery is about to be solved!

It was a concerted group effort. You need an expert in Islamic art to take a look at that piece. Let us know whatever you turn up. I think that is a special piece and believe it to be very valuable. Maybe you should send an email to one of the specialists at Christie's and direct them to this thread to have a look at this piece.

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