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Mystery sterling container - What could it be?

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    Posted 11 years ago

    Stillwater
    (217 items)

    Does this ring a bell with anyone? The caps are sterling, English hallmarks, has an R on one side, suggesting it contained something for which there was a right and left, rubber inserts, . The sterling caps make me think that this would be a personal effect item used regularly, like some people have gold toothpicks or sterling keychains, something like that.

    Anyone have any ideas?

    Happy holidays!

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

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    FABULOUS ENGLISH ANTIQUE 1894 SOLID STERLING SILVER CHATELAINE CHAIN WITH TOOLS
    FABULOUS ENGLISH ANTIQUE 1894 SOLID...
    $214
    Vintage Wallace American Sterling Silver Nautical Clam Shell Dish, 2.58 Troy, NR
    Vintage Wallace American Sterling S...
    $92
    Large LOS CASTILLO Mexican Hammered Silver on Copper Turquoise PARROT Pitcher NR
    Large LOS CASTILLO Mexican Hammered...
    $89
    Fine harlequin set Liberty & Co Cymric Silver and enamel buttons Archibald Knox
    Fine harlequin set Liberty & Co Cym...
    $98
    logo
    FABULOUS ENGLISH ANTIQUE 1894 SOLID STERLING SILVER CHATELAINE CHAIN WITH TOOLS
    FABULOUS ENGLISH ANTIQUE 1894 SOLID...
    $214
    See all

    Comments

    1. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Contact lens.
    2. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      That was my original thought, but when were contact lenses invented? It doesnt appear that this contained any liquid or lubrication, but it could have. Is that a guess or have you seen these before? I found a WWII "medical lense" container that is very similar, but whats a medical lense?
    3. MA., 11 years ago
      For a microscope?
    4. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      If it was for a microscope I don't think it would be sterling, thats usually used in things that you carry around and use regularly, personal effects items like a silver toothpick or a keychain or a money-clip
    5. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      It' labeled "R" on 1 cap so the other cap would naturally mean left to me. Since it is for something small, I still say contacts unless possibly hearing aids. I didn't think the early non-flex contacts were kept in a fluid. If for nipple or lower piercing ornaments, I wouldn't think they would be labeled " R" & L .
    6. guymannering guymannering, 11 years ago
      Glass-blown scleral lenses remained the only form of contact lens until the 1930s when polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Perspex/Plexiglas) was developed, allowing plastic scleral lenses to be manufactured for the first time. In 1936, optometrist William Feinbloom introduced plastic lenses, making them lighter and more convenient.[11] These lenses were a combination of glass and plastic.
      In 1949, the first "corneal" lenses were developed.[12][13][14][15] These were much smaller than the original scleral lenses, as they sat only on the cornea rather than across all of the visible ocular surface, and could be worn up to sixteen hours per day. PMMA corneal lenses became the first contact lenses to have mass appeal through the 1960s, as lens designs became more sophisticated with improving manufacturing (lathe) technology.
      Early corneal lenses in the 1950s and 1960s were relatively expensive and fragile, resulting in the development of a market for contact lens insurance. Replacement Lens Insurance, Inc. (now known as RLI Corp.) phased out its original flagship product in 1994 after contacts became more affordable and easier to replace
    7. kindy kindy, 11 years ago
      Did you work out what it is? I believe the original hard contact lenses required a suction cap to remove them lol.
    8. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      Yeah, its an old contact lens case alright

      Oh my god, like a suction cup on your EYE?? I read that they were made of GLASS too, imagine having one shatter...
    9. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      So not for piercings do-dads?
    10. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      Nah, its fairly old, I don't think people had nipple rings in the 1950's or whenever, haha!
    11. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Well, I've been encountering them (no pun) for quite a few years now. I just can't bring myself to mar this perfect 66 yr old body! I have a perfect figure, 34-34-34.
    12. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      Aww come on Blunder, I'll give this to you to hold them!
      But they've got to be rhinestone studs, so they sparkle through your shirt

      Seriously though, you've seen vintage nipple rings?? No wayyy... I want pictures
    13. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      They would just be deleted.
    14. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      Why? They're not pictures OF nipples, just the ornaments
      You're pullin' my leg aren'tcha?
    15. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Yea. The only pics I have are lower & not antique.
    16. Stillwater Stillwater, 11 years ago
      Oh man... You're so funny Blunder

      Find anything good lately?

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