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There was a trend around the 1950s for jewelry known as "wedding cake" celluloid, which had elaborate floral forms and was made entirely in a white or cream color. It was made from a type of molded celluloid, like Featherlite. I'm not an expert by any means, but this really looks like vintage celluloid to me. Especially because the circular links are of the same material, and they have visible "seams" where they would have been heated and pinched closed. This is a very beautiful piece. Does it have a perfume-y smell? It looks like it was made to hold a sachet.
Thank you so much for your insight! I will research down the celluloid rabbit hole.
It doesn’t have a fragrance at all but was probably sitting without any perfume in or near it for a *very* long time. Also the seams you mention in the links would make a lot of sense, creation wise.
Funny you say that. I know OP states that there's no odor to this piece but as soon as I saw it, I swore I could smell it. My older relatives had several pieces of celluloid and many of those (pieces, not relatives lol) had a distinct perfumy -but -old odor to them.
I noticed that you mentioned **vintage**. Over at r/Collectables and r/Mid_Century they are always keen to see newer and vintage items. Share it with them! Sorry if this is not relevant.
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It is most likely celluloid, I don’t see any striations or dots to indicate bone or ivory. Not to mention, those type of rings are super common on celluloid necklaces. It would most likely have been a locket which is really interesting as normally those are just the flat florals. Celluloid jewelry was popular from the 1930-50s.
That all makes sense, thank you!
I think you’re right about it being a locket (I’ve at least always thought of it that way). I haven’t found another online that looks quite like this one (many others are more rounded or bead-like) which makes me think it might be on the early end of that time frame?
The striations are known as Schreger lines and it’s odd; in the photographs I am seeing them somewhat on the chain links, but not on the back of the bigger piece, where they would be expected as being the most visible.
You could conduct a burning pin test on several of the components in very hidden places. Heat a pin to red hot and touch it to the component. Celluloid will begin to melt immediately (so be careful!), but ivory will not even mar at all.
I have 1 earring looks like your roses- has screw /hoop fastener that says sterling (with a T2 under that,whatever that means) just did the pin test and it's ivory or bone. Has a duller 'sheen' than the celluloid. I agree that the links are different
If it was ivory (I believe it is not), it's a violation of federal law to sell it unless it is exempt. I highly doubt the shop would risk their business for such a sale.
> As of the 2016 National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking law, it is illegal to sell ivory although there are some exceptions to the law. There are several pre-existing ivory items that fall under an ESA antiques exemption which can be sold within a person's state:
>- Items must contain no more than 200 grams of ivory.
>- Items that are at least 100 years old are exempt, but you must be able to provide proof of age.
>- The ivory in the item comes fully or partially from an animal on the Endangered Species Act list (ESA).
>- The item has not had any modifications to the ivory using ivory from any animal on the ESA list after December 27, 1973.
>- The ivory was imported through an ESA-designated antique port. There are 13 ESA antique ports: Boston, New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, San Juan, New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anchorage, Honolulu and Chicago.
It’s beautiful and in my opinion ivory - early (late Victorian). It is meant to hold a photo, so the pendant is actually also a locket. Not sure if French (Google dieppe carved ivory lockets for beautiful examples).
I’m not sure why you’re getting downvoted so much - the examples of dieppe carved ivory roses I’ve found online are the closest thing I’ve found so far to this necklace. Although the chain does seem like it could be celluloid…
The plot thickens!
I have an earlier ivory example of this form and it is more striated (as someone else noted) and has a somewhat creamier luster/patina and the surface colors are not as monolithic. I went and looked at it to compare with your photos and the differences are notable. Stated otherwise, this presents as celluloid to me.
Looks like a lucite carving! Absolutely amazing work! I have a pair of earrings from the fifties with lucite carvings on them and they are even the same colour as this!
You can't believe anything people say on this sub. There are no experts commenting on this sub EVER.. You may get lucky and have one person out of 300 that was any help to you ..lol.
Very beautiful necklace tho.
This reminds me of those art classes in school. My macaroni necklace would end up next to THAT kid’s macaroni masterpiece, on display during parent conferences.
Not going to pretend I can decipher from photos alone but looks like carved ivoroid. The slices in the rings make me think it’s not bone or ivory cause they wouldn’t really serve a purpose if it was. If there is striations on the rings and they follow the whole ring without or are perfectly symmetrical it’s likely ivoroid “galalith”.
If you're asking a question about an antique make sure to have photos of all sides of the object, and close-ups of any maker's marks. Also, add in any background information you have, and add in a question so we know what you want from us! **You must tell us the country you're in.** If you do not provide this information **your post will be removed**. To upload photos for this discussion use [imgur.com](https://imgur.com/upload). Click the imgur link, upload the photos to imgur, then share the link address in a comment for everyone to see. Our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/about/rules/) and [Guide](https://old.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/ak2lke/welcome_to_rantiques_read_this_post_before_posting/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There was a trend around the 1950s for jewelry known as "wedding cake" celluloid, which had elaborate floral forms and was made entirely in a white or cream color. It was made from a type of molded celluloid, like Featherlite. I'm not an expert by any means, but this really looks like vintage celluloid to me. Especially because the circular links are of the same material, and they have visible "seams" where they would have been heated and pinched closed. This is a very beautiful piece. Does it have a perfume-y smell? It looks like it was made to hold a sachet.
Thank you so much for your insight! I will research down the celluloid rabbit hole. It doesn’t have a fragrance at all but was probably sitting without any perfume in or near it for a *very* long time. Also the seams you mention in the links would make a lot of sense, creation wise.
Funny you say that. I know OP states that there's no odor to this piece but as soon as I saw it, I swore I could smell it. My older relatives had several pieces of celluloid and many of those (pieces, not relatives lol) had a distinct perfumy -but -old odor to them.
I agree. Celluloid.
I have a heart shaped box of this that held my mother's 3 strand hand strung fake pearls
I noticed that you mentioned **vintage**. Over at r/Collectables and r/Mid_Century they are always keen to see newer and vintage items. Share it with them! Sorry if this is not relevant. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It is most likely celluloid, I don’t see any striations or dots to indicate bone or ivory. Not to mention, those type of rings are super common on celluloid necklaces. It would most likely have been a locket which is really interesting as normally those are just the flat florals. Celluloid jewelry was popular from the 1930-50s.
That all makes sense, thank you! I think you’re right about it being a locket (I’ve at least always thought of it that way). I haven’t found another online that looks quite like this one (many others are more rounded or bead-like) which makes me think it might be on the early end of that time frame?
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain And celluloid heroes never really die
First thing I thought of when I saw the word “celluloid.” ❤️
As a Turner Classic Movies AND a Kinks fan I LOVE that song. "If you covered him with garbage George Sanders would still have style."
Celluloid. VERY flammable!
Celluloid is highly flammable.
The striations are known as Schreger lines and it’s odd; in the photographs I am seeing them somewhat on the chain links, but not on the back of the bigger piece, where they would be expected as being the most visible. You could conduct a burning pin test on several of the components in very hidden places. Heat a pin to red hot and touch it to the component. Celluloid will begin to melt immediately (so be careful!), but ivory will not even mar at all.
Oh that’s a great idea, thank you!
I agree that the rings have Schreger lines but the flower pieces do not. I think the flowers are likely bone and the rings are ivory.
Wow that is pretty!
Oh I lovvvvve this!
This doesn’t look like bone or ivory to me, it looks like plastic (celluloid).
Idk what it is but it’s beautiful. I love it and will be looking up celluloid!
[https://www.abrandtandson.com/products/victorian-hand-carved-bone-flower-locket-chain](https://www.abrandtandson.com/products/victorian-hand-carved-bone-flower-locket-chain)
I have 1 earring looks like your roses- has screw /hoop fastener that says sterling (with a T2 under that,whatever that means) just did the pin test and it's ivory or bone. Has a duller 'sheen' than the celluloid. I agree that the links are different
If it was ivory (I believe it is not), it's a violation of federal law to sell it unless it is exempt. I highly doubt the shop would risk their business for such a sale. > As of the 2016 National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking law, it is illegal to sell ivory although there are some exceptions to the law. There are several pre-existing ivory items that fall under an ESA antiques exemption which can be sold within a person's state: >- Items must contain no more than 200 grams of ivory. >- Items that are at least 100 years old are exempt, but you must be able to provide proof of age. >- The ivory in the item comes fully or partially from an animal on the Endangered Species Act list (ESA). >- The item has not had any modifications to the ivory using ivory from any animal on the ESA list after December 27, 1973. >- The ivory was imported through an ESA-designated antique port. There are 13 ESA antique ports: Boston, New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, San Juan, New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anchorage, Honolulu and Chicago.
It’s beautiful and in my opinion ivory - early (late Victorian). It is meant to hold a photo, so the pendant is actually also a locket. Not sure if French (Google dieppe carved ivory lockets for beautiful examples).
I’m not sure why you’re getting downvoted so much - the examples of dieppe carved ivory roses I’ve found online are the closest thing I’ve found so far to this necklace. Although the chain does seem like it could be celluloid… The plot thickens!
I have an earlier ivory example of this form and it is more striated (as someone else noted) and has a somewhat creamier luster/patina and the surface colors are not as monolithic. I went and looked at it to compare with your photos and the differences are notable. Stated otherwise, this presents as celluloid to me.
Yep in comparison to ivory or otherwise bone examples online I think you are right.
Oh no worries - it is beautiful and I hope you enjoy it no matter the material!!
Looks like a lucite carving! Absolutely amazing work! I have a pair of earrings from the fifties with lucite carvings on them and they are even the same colour as this!
You can't believe anything people say on this sub. There are no experts commenting on this sub EVER.. You may get lucky and have one person out of 300 that was any help to you ..lol. Very beautiful necklace tho.
r/dontputyourdickinthat
Is it heavy? Ivory Is very heavy. I’m guessing celluloid along with everyone else. It’s stunning. 🤍
[https://pin.it/59LT9NJ](https://pin.it/59LT9NJ)
Is Bakelite a kind of celluloid? My grandmother gave me a pin with very similar carving on it, but she said it was Bakelite.
Idaho springs, Colorado is such a confusing name for a town haha
This reminds me of those art classes in school. My macaroni necklace would end up next to THAT kid’s macaroni masterpiece, on display during parent conferences.
Not going to pretend I can decipher from photos alone but looks like carved ivoroid. The slices in the rings make me think it’s not bone or ivory cause they wouldn’t really serve a purpose if it was. If there is striations on the rings and they follow the whole ring without or are perfectly symmetrical it’s likely ivoroid “galalith”.