Author Topic: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?  (Read 1886 times)

atmobeach

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« on: July 20, 2011, 06:57:44 pm »
I have this antique 3 inch marked sterling holder of some kind...it is inscribed Pater, so I assume it is a man's piece...it is very thin, only about 1/8 inch thick...the opening at the top has no markings on it...there is a small silver ring to attach this item to some thing but I don't know what...any ideas?

waywardangler

  • Guest
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2011, 07:28:45 pm »
Mario, this one is for you. The missing word is "Pitter".  ;D


mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2011, 07:33:19 pm »
Looks like something to hold a single flower !!  Have no clue otherwise !!

waywardangler

  • Guest
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2011, 11:09:20 pm »
I think you are right mart but that silver ring is not the usual method of attachment. The ones I have found have a pen type clip or a pin clasp. The ring suggests wearing this on a necklace where a man would have worn this on a lapel.

waywardangler

  • Guest
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2011, 11:13:10 pm »
This one appears to have a ring and a clip.

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11661
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2011, 02:27:31 am »
I also believe it is a vintage (or older) boutonniere holder.

Alot like one on this site!  Look under boutonniere
http://www.shopyank.com/sell/tie.html

Lots of times the loop was made to go into a buttonhole!!!!!!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2011, 05:15:23 am »
I really wasn`t  sure about this one but with the ring, attachment would be simple with a pin !! The larger pins used in the Victorian era would have worked well !! Just pick up a few threads on one side then through the ring and a few threads on the other !! Like pinning a corsage !!

waywardangler

  • Guest
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2011, 06:33:41 am »
Good point, mart! One of those large-head Victorian type hatpins would work quite well and not slip through the ring. I try to stay away from formal affairs so my experience is rather limited.

sapphire

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3137
  • Karma: +34/-0
  • Without direction, we are lost.
    • View Profile
Re: Help Identifying this Sterling Silver Item: What is it?
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2011, 03:30:55 pm »
"Pater".....latin for father.  A gift for someone's father maybe, can't see a priest wearing a boutonniere. Or a surname?