Help with this Brass item please

[snoopy666]

Hello everyone.
 I have this brass item which needs your help.
It is a large piece about size of two large hands put together which has hinges and opens out revealing two hollow  areas.You can close it again and it locks shut
There is a chain attached and a carving of a duck on both sides.
Any help appreciated?

[mart]

Are you in the U.S. ??  My first impression when I saw it was that it was a gentlemens shaving (soap) dish !!   It may have had a glass liner on the lower half !!  Does it just snap shut to keep it closed ??  You said "locks" shut but I am assuming it is just to prevent opening during travel or such !!  May not be right but that is my thought !!
What is the staining on the inside ??  Just discoloration ?? Is it lined with something other than brass ??  That is not how brass would age !!

[snoopy666]

Hi thanks for the help with it,i am In The UK
It closes with a kind of clasp which just stops it opening,staining on inside looks like its some white chalky residue possibly white powdery paint,i think i can clean it out.
My first thoughts were it was something to transport something between travels,someone mentioned it could be a burner of some sort,the chain aswell adds to the mystery!!

[cogar]

In the UK, huh?

Maybe it is an antique Powder Puff Case (compact) for keeping this powdery “white”. 

[KC]

Can you please give the dimensions of the piece? 

[mart]

In the UK, huh?

Maybe it is an antique Powder Puff Case (compact) for keeping this powdery “white”. 

Now why didn`t I think about that ??

[cogar]

HA, when snoopy described its size as being "a large piece about size of two large hands put together", ...... and being brass, ..... I figured it looked like a "personal use" item a man would be toting around ....... rather than a female.

And iffen a man was using it, ......

[mart]

HA, when snoopy described its size as being "a large piece about size of two large hands put together", ...... and being brass, ..... I figured it looked like a "personal use" item a man would be toting around ....... rather than a female.

And iffen a man was using it, ......

Yes,, I figured it was a mens item !!  But didn`t think about the fashion of the time being "powdered wigs" !!

[Rauville]

Looks similar to the "Slacked Lime Boxes" from Asia and elsewhere. The chain and spoon are a clue.
http://www.trocadero.com/stores/chilong/items/1073483/item1073483.html
 

[Pelady]

Interesting side fact:
The boxes were used to keep the lime for chew.  Lime was typically added to a bundle of areca nut and betel leaf to keep the alkaloid stimulants chemically available to enter the bloodsteam via sublingual absorption. This is chewed like tobacco and gives the user a buzz.  Often stains users teeth red brown.
 
PeLady

[snoopy666]

Rauville i think you have cracked the mystery mate
It seems to be very similar to the one i have and the white dry paste inside being the lime residue possibly or other mix
Am very grateful for all your help with helping me with this.
There is alot of weird and wonderful stuff always popping up around UK,especially in London.
This piece i found at a house clearance sale in a coastal town called Brighton about an hours drive from London
cheers
Jamie

[cogar]

Am very grateful for all your help with helping me with this.

Like the ole saying goes, ..... "sometimes 2 or 3 heads are usually better than one".

Or sumpin like that.

[ghopper1924]

 

[KC]

Learned something new on this one! 

I saw that the end of the chain resembled the chains/scoops on opium carriers but knew that they were not nearly this big!

Great job Rauville!

I had heard of Betel Lime before and did some searching and this is one and the same.  Just never seen a holder like this before.  If you search Betel Lime Holder you will see many more.

[mart]

Sure didn`t think about that !!  Only thing I knew slaked lime was used for was gardens !!   Did mine this year !!  Another brownie point for Rauville !!