What the Heck is this?

[talesofthesevenseas]

Found your hallmark! Here is information on the company that made your match safe (or ??) James Dixon & Sons:
http://www.silvercollection.it/electroplatesilverDdue.html#DIX1

[winffup]

Here's a link to a thread mostly about James Dixon & Sons. I didn't read the whole thing but at least one of the posters worked there.


http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11434&page=8

[MythrilDelight]

From an outsider point of view...I immediately thought either cigarettes or tea holder for some reason...

[hija]

Well, we've established an origin and a manufacturer for this box that has us stumped.  And I sure couldn't have done it alone! Thank you to everyone who sent links and suggestions. Funny, but the original question remains - what the heck is it?  There seems to be a concensus that it is a pewter matchbox. Second  and third questions - who in 2010 would purchase such an item, and why?

and wait until you see the next item I'll bring before you.

[KC]

Items that they made that this could possibly be:

Carrier for perfume bottle
Carrier for small flask
Thought match but don't believe so because no striker area
Carrier for smelling salts

[wendy177]

Hija many people collect only tobacco related items in this day & age. Photos of a few I have the small lighter is a puppy & opens mouth to light

[wendy177]

One more to share.

[KC]

Nice pieces Wendy. The one looks like it has abalone shell on it!

Highly collectible!!!

[regularjoe2]

Cool 'bacco items , wendy177 .

hija , I'm curious to know if there's wear-marks inside of your little item (sides & /or bottom) , such as would/might be caused from removing/inserting an item inside of it , such as suggested by KC ...

[MarieA]

Could it be a humidor?

[wendy177]

MarieA I do not think it is a humidor as they are larger than 2 7/8" tall & 1 7/8" wide.

[winffup]

The shape and hinge come really close to a black powder tin that JD & S made during the civil war. The powder tin is much bigger, though.

[hija]

Because there is no closure (hook, clasp) on the lid, it seems the match safe (if that is indeed what it is) wasn't made to travel, but more likely to sit atop a table. I doubt it contained any liquids or powders - if the container were to be knocked over, the contents would spill.

It has no scratch marks on the inside that would indicate a pattern of usage - it still has us collectively stumped!

[hija]

Boy oh boy, at least I now know how the read the marks on the "What the Heck is this?" piece. Still don't know its original purpose - looked at so many match safes online - none in anyway resembled this little box. Too small to be a tea caddy, wrong shape to be a cigarette case. Lots of us here at A-s.com have invested much time, to no avail. So the James Dixon & Sons EPBM item is headed towards eBay - wish me luck! And thanks for your efforts.

[KC]

hija, best of luck.

Sorry we couldn't resolve this.

Was most likely a special made item.

Let us know how you fare on the sale!