✅ SOLVED What's this silver thing?

[paulb104]

So in my father-in-laws stuff was this little gem.

We don't know what it is. If it weren't for the initials we would easily say it's a pill case, but each tier has two letters on it. IO, DS, and SO. The bottom is dated 1360 and it's got three hallmarks. We think it's early 20th Century Gorham silver (Gorham Silver Marks & Dates - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks).

I know polishing antiques is a huge no-no, but this is one of those pieces that I REALLY want to clean up! lol.

The initials could read this

IO
DS
SO

or is could be this

IO
SO
DS

Of course, my wife pointed out that the D might be an A so then that complicated things further. If it is an A, then the choices would be

IO
AS
SO

or

IO
SO
AS

or

OS
SA
OI

or

SA
OS
OI

Anyone have any guesses?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[sprailroad]

Wish I knew what it is, But I tell ya, that is really something good. I like it , for whatever it is or was used for.

 

[paulb104]

Wish I knew what it is, But I tell ya, that is really something good. I like it , for whatever it is or was used for.

I totally agree. That's why I want to clean it

...but I hate putting a tag to sell something as "some sort of silver box". That irks me. If I don't know what it is, I just put it away.

 

[nhbenz]

It looks similar to their graduated jigger shot measure, except the sections are separated, right?
I wouldn't be afraid to clean it. As long as it hasn't been over cleaned it does not hurt value on silver items like this (I don't mean coins, jewelry, and other exceptions) like it would for bronze, etc. There's enough folks who want items like this to appear "ready to use."

 

[paulb104]

I wouldn't be afraid to clean it. As long as it hasn't been over cleaned it does not hurt value on silver items, like it would for bronze, etc.

When in selling in an antique market setting, [apparent] cleaning is a definate no-no. Sure, absolutely we will take a baby wipe and clean off surface dirt - (Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes, Unscented are fantastic for this, just follow immediately with a paper towel), but honest cleaning is bad.

In this case, I want to polish this thing up to look like new It's just so sad to be that pretty and look all dingy.

 

[kingskid1611]

Looks big enough to hold some bobbins for a sewing machine but I am unsure of what it was for..

 

[paulb104]

It's not a pill box. Boy, was that wrong...

It is a Holy Oils container. Holy Oils

Here's another one... http://i68.tinypic.com/4tt301.jpg

So the OS and the OI are explained, but not the SA. According to that site, the third should be SC.

 

[SkaBa]

I believe it is a C, just stylized.

 

[taz42o]

Called holy oil stocks.

 

[AU Seeker]

Modern plated replicas sell for over $200 on eBay.

+ Triple OilStock (pyx) Oil Stock for Holy Oils + + + chalice co. + | eBay

 

[unclemac]

try this to clean it...

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...ow+to+clean+silver+with+baking+soda&tbm=vid&*

 

[paulb104]

try this to clean it...

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...ow+to+clean+silver+with+baking+soda&tbm=vid&*

aluminum foil, baking soda and hot water?

I've been doing that for thirty five years... thanks

I remember when the Lillian Vernon catalog, that was that little thing, like 6x9 inches, had a "magic cleaning plate" for silver. That's how I learned about this.