does anyone know what this is and where it might of came from?

[jerryseym]

I Have what i think is an antique jewelry box with beautiful gold inlay pattern, we have always just had it laying on our desk and begin to wonder if it might be of any value, I tested the gold pattern with a magnet and found it was not magnetic, I also tested the metal with a 10k gold acid and found at least that carat amount in the metal, but because there is not any makers mark I cannot find anything that looks anything like it online nor in any antique dealer around town.

 

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[recondigger]

Looks like an old pencil box

Dig until your arm falls off

 

[cwhunter_1]

Recondigger hit it right. it's a vintage desktop pencil holder. there's one on EBay that's very close to yours. Nice.

 

[Argentium]

That's a beautiful box for sure ! I'm a bit surprised that the ornamental applique would contain gold - hey I'm very often surprised by
the things that show up on this site (and under my searchcoil sometimes !)

 

[jerryseym]

thanks for the advice I had no idea it was a pencil box, I appreciate any input I can get. thanks again.

 

[vpnavy]

Nice pencil holder pencil holder.

 

[surf]

Hello jerryseym,

Welcome to TNet, and thanks for showing us this attractive box. The hasp has a hint of the East. Very nice brass fittings. Have you any idea of the flora motif?

I'd argue against it being any kind of pencil box. The fanciness and the form speak against it, too, in my opinion. You didn't mention the dimensions, and I'd like to see the interior, in natural light, if you are so inclined.

I had a pencil box, or two,. in my early school daze, and they looked more like this:

​

 

[huntsman53]

Like Argentium, I question a Pencil Box having Gold ornamentation on it! Due to it's size, Gold decorations and the way the inside is made, I would have said that it was a type of important document box from the 1700's or 1800's. It appears that it would hold a scroll used by a Catholic Church or a Spanish Diplomat.


Frank

 

[doc-d]

Very interesting........thank's all......

 

[mustangpalmer1911]

Incense holder or burner? Is there a small hole on either of the side walls to stick a Incense stick in?

 

[jerryseym]

wow I am intrigued that it might be that old but I wonder how I can date it and find its origin, thank you all for the input, ill be more than happy to post more pictures. mustang palmer there isn't any holes in it I thought the same suspicions.

 

[jerryseym]

would brass not react to 10k gold acid?

 

[huntsman53]

wow I am intrigued that it might be that old but I wonder how I can date it and find its origin, thank you all for the input, ill be more than happy to post more pictures. mustang palmer there isn't any holes in it I thought the same suspicions.

Possibly the Antiques Roadshow my good man! They seem to have a pretty good schedule and will visiting quite a few locations East of the Mississippi the rest of this year but only two in the West. I am not sure whether they have an online assessment of antiques and other interesting stuff. If the decorations on the outside are truly Gold, then they were probably done by a Goldsmith and there may be some very tiny Hallmarks. You will just have to look at every piece of Gold work on the box to see if you can find any, then try to identify them. If you don't have any already, you will need an assortment of Gem Loupes for the job.


Frank

 

[Jim of PA]

 

[calisdad]

It could be a pencil box but a telescope box makes more sense to me.

 

[zaxfire69]

My first thought was a telescope box. Very cool whatever it is.

 

[SusanMN]

Hard to say with these boxes. Many, many replicas and old looking boxes produced as decorative items within the last twenty or thirty years. That would be my bet but an antique dealer might be able to give you the best info.

 

[artyfacts]

What a beautifully built and designed little box. The double design reminds me of the compass points, or the hub of a ships helm, it looks worldly.

 

[gunsil]

It's a cool looking box, but that is no way gold on it.

 

[kuger]

I think it is Chinese.

Pure speculation but an opium pipe may fit in it

here is an example of an opium pipe box
524: WATER BUFFALO OPIUM PIPE BOX : Lot 524


this is just showing the type of lock and escuthcheon style
http://www.etsy.com/listing/125177736/fabric-covered-chinese-jewelry-box-with?ref=market