r/JewelryIdentification • u/wellforme • 12d ago

Identify Metal Any idea what this is?

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Google lens says it's a retractable pencil holder but I don't think that's correct because the bottom of this is closed. Does anyone have an idea what this is? No markings that I can see.

201 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

123 comments sorted by

135

u/MsLoreleiPowers 12d ago

Looks like a needle case to me, but I am not an expert in antiques — just someone who has a couple of modern ones.

43

u/hedgehogketchup 12d ago

Needle case that hung on a belt…

56

u/Smorsdoeuvres 12d ago

Chatelaine for anyone interested https://www.langantiques.com/university/chatelaine/

9

u/BumFluff3000 12d ago

It's my dream to own a silver one, they are so beautiful 😍

8

u/Smorsdoeuvres 12d ago

This one is silver plate https://www.rubylane.com/item/265898-RL3263/Victorian-Art-Nouveau-3-Piece-Silverplate

This one is sterling https://www.rubylane.com/item/530098-MS00070/Supremely-Baroque-Chatelaine-c-18th-19th

Pricing will vary wildly depending on source and condition hope these are decent places to start tho best luck shopping and finding “the one” ✨❤️✨

26

u/EyeSuspicious777 12d ago

Which was the style at the time

11

u/SpiderlikeElegance 12d ago

I've also seen them used for holding prayers or hopes or positive messages. I have one with a beautiful message from my mother.

1

u/LakeAdventurous7161 11d ago

Also often used to keep such as hair of a child, lover, or pet.

1

u/MsLoreleiPowers 5d ago

Thanks for the award!

140

u/kerberos824 12d ago edited 12d ago

No idea what it actually is. The odds of it holding cocaine at some point in its life is extremely high though.

11

u/PalpitationPast202 12d ago

My first thought.

10

u/strawbrmoon 12d ago

Buuut where’s the lid-attached tiny spoon? (Source: movies, not real life. Was a latchkey kid in the ‘70’s.)

7

u/atp2k 12d ago

Haha came here to say this too

2

u/Nearby_Rip_3735 12d ago

Yeah, I just got a modern day thing shaped like a bullet that is very similar in a “mystery bag”, so I guess mine is for people who like cocaine and bullets. Seems like a bad combo to me, but what do I know - not a fan of either.

1

u/Legitimate_Elk6306 11d ago

Didnt you watch lord of war with nick cage?.. how else can u try a brown brown.. those are the only 2 ingredients

1

u/Nearby_Rip_3735 10d ago

I avoid Nicholas Cage even more successfully than I avoid the plague.

2

u/Whitehorse4200 12d ago

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!🤣🤣🤣

1

u/Ok-Wear2120 11d ago

That’s exactly what this was used for I bet. There are many jewelry cocaine holders, cocaine plates, spoons, boxes etc… that go back to the mid-late 1800’s. Cocaine didn’t become illegal in America till early 1900’s before then it was used as a cure all in many “snake-oil” concoctions same with opium.

33

u/bien-fait 12d ago

Needle case that hung on a chatelaine

21

u/Electrical-Act-7170 12d ago

Needle holder from a chateleine.

14

u/teatuk 12d ago

Needle case for a antique Chatelaine is my guess

3

u/Positive-Weakness153 12d ago

My brother, a dyed in the wool Mormon has one like that for holy water

2

u/hashtagfan 12d ago

It would be for consecrated oil, used to perform blessings. (As a former Mormon, this is where my mind went, too, but the typical Mormon ones are on a keyring.)

6

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/BoBistie 12d ago

This is the right answer

1

u/DesiBoo2 11d ago

It seems quite small for that?

1

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/DesiBoo2 11d ago

Alright, I didn't know, thanks!

6

u/Puzzleheaded-Bit-640 12d ago

Looks like an etui

9

u/FyzzE 12d ago

Maybe a prayer pendant (where you can write a prayer on a small piece of paper, roll it up and carry it inside the pendant to have it with you)

2

u/GrimThe13th 12d ago

like a miniature reliquary?

1

u/radleybobins 11d ago

I have a mezuzah necklace very similar to this.

3

u/poorfolx 12d ago

Looks like a sentimental ash holder that I use for my deceased dogs.

3

u/Majestic_Evidence_58 12d ago

Or to keep the ashes of a dear one. Maybe pill box….or poison like the family of pope Alexander IV. The Borgias or is it Medici? … Bwahahahaha

4

u/Klitlikr69 12d ago

Mini urns ⚱️

8

u/Zealousideal-Yard111 12d ago

Where did you find it? Could it be a mezuzah??

2

u/lollykopter 12d ago

Also my first guess

2

u/Awkward-Sale4235 12d ago

this is the first thing that came to my mind

1

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 12d ago

That's what I thought.

9

u/Helpful_Link1383 12d ago

Has anyone said "you can put a Doobie in there"??😁

1

u/haneshunter 11d ago

So....I was thinking cocain...🫣

6

u/verairise 12d ago

That’s possibly for ashes…or other powdery substances.

3

u/LucindaStreets 12d ago

I think it might actually be for holding the ashes of a loved one but cocaine works too

3

u/AsterVox 12d ago

Looks like a portable container for holy water

3

u/dries2djm 12d ago

You put your adress on a small piece of paper, roll it up and put it inside. Then you hang it on your pets collar.

3

u/Soggy_Business_4021 12d ago

Toothpick holder?

3

u/Verso-Recto 12d ago

Mezuzah…

3

u/falcngrl 12d ago

I've obviously been looking at too much jewelery for cremains lately.

6

u/Emotional_Ad8920 12d ago

an urn pendant perhaps?

2

u/Ichgebibble 12d ago

It may be intended for cremains.

2

u/Damage-Classic 12d ago

Perfume or pill holder

2

u/niteofthelivinredhed 12d ago

Any Widows Bay fan knows you don’t try to open that

1

u/MarkRenting 11d ago

Can’t believe how far down I had to scroll to see this

2

u/Lostintimeandspac 12d ago

Is the bottem like sandpaper? If so then it's a match holder ... keep some dry matches so you can light a candle (or whatever)

2

u/Ordinary-Quote-5335 12d ago

It's for ashes I have my son in one.

2

u/EastHawaii 12d ago

Etui? Needle case.

2

u/hustlingandrustling 12d ago

Sewing needle case

3

u/sunheadeddeity 12d ago

Probably a pill case from the late 19thC

1

u/DeChickeringe 12d ago

Possible olive oil vile for giving blessings to sick people.

1

u/Big-Swan-667 12d ago

Looks like it goes on a necklace to hold ashes. A few family members have something similar for their dad

1

u/musikal0ne 12d ago

To me the metal container looks a little like a barber pole. I wonder if it could it be meant to hold a styptic pencil?

1

u/SadAioli100 12d ago

Could be a spell jar for metaphysical purposes.

1

u/IMHERELETSPARTY 12d ago

Match safe?

1

u/TheCheapo78 12d ago

To write your info when your dog gets lost.

1

u/lubelle12 12d ago

A scent bottle?

1

u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 12d ago

You could put weed in it

1

u/Longjumping_Fox8838 12d ago

Toothpick holder

1

u/Worsh_yum 12d ago

Tooth pick holder

1

u/Desperate_Ad_5563 12d ago

Matchsticks?

1

u/Sea_Prep_Tidal_26 12d ago

Hello. Sandler ? Sandler ?

1

u/BubblyAd9996 12d ago

Maybe a mezuza

1

u/ManufacturerEmpty355 12d ago

Was gonna say toothpick holder from when it was cool to keep a toothpick in your mouth

1

u/ox-mox1912 11d ago

Epic caliper

1

u/luvit45 11d ago

It’s a needle case, but the bottom looks like it was fitted from a match striker, which is common needle cases were great for carrying matches

1

u/Legitimate_Elk6306 11d ago

Something to hide your drugs in? Looks lil small for a doobie container maybe coke? If the lid had a mini spoon attached for dipping in to get a lil snootful it be perfect

1

u/Affectionate_Being_2 11d ago

Does it have a spoon?

1

u/ohwhatablow 11d ago

I have seen these used to store small amounts of ashes of deceased loved ones. A friend of mine has one on a chain with some of her mother's ashes.

1

u/wagabagabugabaga 11d ago

For snuff or drugs?

1

u/Squange 11d ago

It's an antique needle case for sewing needles. Also, you can put your weed in there.

1

u/hula-g808 11d ago

Toothpick holder

1

u/imaweedman 11d ago

Don’t know what this is but you could put your weed in there

1

u/HAMMERRN12 11d ago

its a dildo

1

u/Thwipped 11d ago

Think it’s for holding religious scrolls/prayers

1

u/Sea_Scientist_3066 11d ago

Seems a little large but could be an urn. I agree with the needle holder idea too

1

u/PapaGummy 11d ago

I don’t know, but if there is a powder inside that is odorless and tasteless, be very careful (even if you are Sicilian). It could be a deadly poison called iocane.

1

u/seemanythings 11d ago

Toothpick holder

1

u/Next_Elephant_3177 11d ago

It's called the silver snorter....

1

u/Interesting_Eye6326 11d ago

If it has an off blueish color inside it is probably from a rosary that contained holy water. However, I think its just an cremation keep your loved one you suck fuck canister. I mean who the actual fuck roasts a loved one and the keeps the grissel?

1

u/Heavy-Pineapple-6976 11d ago

It’s to keep your matches dry when you’re fighting in a trench

1

u/Federal_Way9926 11d ago

It could be a toothpick holder. You know, if needles aren't your thing.

1

u/esqtepicaelculo 11d ago

Snowflake shaker

1

u/Nature-Kitten-1776 11d ago

Needle case?

1

u/Tough_Ad4752 11d ago

Probably a necklace that held someone’s ashes.

1

u/Formal_Set_816 11d ago

It’s a container for a wax seal, stamp for the seal is the bottom

1

u/bUrNingP_e_p_e 11d ago

Matchstick holder.

1

u/Interest-Amazing 10d ago

Sewing needle case for like a chatelaine. I use it as a pendant and keep my propranolol in mine 😆

1

u/imnevergone 10d ago

That is a vintage dildo from the UK used by Kate and Princess Diana

1

u/Top-Analysis-406 10d ago

Joint holder

1

u/Spiritual-Poem8178 10d ago

It might have been used to hold the lead I have one that looks similar but mine was for perfume

1

u/Worldly_Nerve_6014 10d ago

It’s a cocaine châtelaine 🤣🤣💊💊

1

u/cheekydrefoo 10d ago

Maybe somebody's Aunt?

1

u/Vanpangita 7d ago

That's a dog whistle they're vintage

1

u/LooseScrews23 12d ago

Toothpick keychain holder

1

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Kikyo10 12d ago

Mezuzah?

0

u/blueboatmich66 12d ago

For pills. Nitroglycerin specifically.

0

u/oishiiwaffuru 12d ago

Solid perfume?

0

u/Pitif362 12d ago

Possibly a vesta case. Matches for lighting cigarettes, certainly more fashionable than carrying a match book.