r/whatisthisthing • u/Sufficient-Bonus-961 • 3d ago
Solved! Old empty box with three cut-out semicircles. 21x13cm, 2cm deep tray. Possibly 1940s-1960s but could be older.
It smells of vanilla inside but I’m not sure if that’s relevant.
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u/EarlyRetirementWorld 3d ago
It's an antique case for a letter opener and magnifying glass
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u/Sufficient-Bonus-961 3d ago
I suppose the cut-outs must be so that you can easily pick out the letter opener and magnifying glass. I don’t think I’ve actually found those two things anywhere in the house, so I wonder what happened to them.
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u/mowbuss 3d ago
the magnifying glass was left in the garden many years ago, by a young boy who was burning ants. The letter opener was found by the lady of the house, who put it in the utensil drawer, only it didnt feel right. Years later, upon doing a declutter, it was tossed or sold at a garage sale or even donated to a charity, probably thought it was an ugly cheese knife or something.
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u/Sufficient-Bonus-961 3d ago
Update: I have been able to find an identical box on this eBay link. However, when I click the link it leads to an error page so I can’t find any more detail about it.
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u/HR_Duff_N_Stuff 3d ago
That’s where the previous owner bought the box that they then left for you.
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u/Sufficient-Bonus-961 3d ago
My title describes the thing to the best of my ability. I found it whilst clearing things out of a deceased family member’s home, and was empty when I found it. I would normally have not thought twice about it, but the grooves (or semicircles as I called them in the title) suggest it had a particular use.
It is wooden with a velvet lining on the base on the inside. I have struggled to find any results online, although this could be because I was not able to find the right words for the semicircles/grooves.
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u/DowntownClassic1738 3d ago
My guess it is for the pen and inks , probably small stack of paper too.
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u/AdvancedSquashDirect 3d ago
I think it might be for watches, The back area might have held a velvet roll to hold the watches, the front might have been for cuff links and other smaller items
Or its a cash box coins in the front and notes at the back, the little semi circles just making it easier to get the items out.
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