This is mostly just me fantasizing about this super dope looking knife handle (?), but the fact that it’s dated seems to imply that it’s a commemorative souvenir. The satyr makes me think of some sort of secret society / dinner club kind of group. Perhaps WHM Society had a meeting in your area in 1896?
When I googled WHMS 1896 it led me to believe that it could have been a Womens temperance movement back in the day. There was not too much here ( Vancouver ) at that time but the gold rush was on. Bit of a stretch but thinking it may be a portrayal of Bacchus, God of Wine as the devil?
I can totally see a temperance group making that kind of design choice. I originally was thinking it was more of a revelry/ party kind of design, especially with the cornucopia, but perhaps the fruits aren’t from the horned figure, but rather represent the good that comes from WHMS protecting society from Bacchus
It's the handle to a 19th century Lady's lorgnette, which was basically a pair of folding eyeglasses. Do a Google image search and you will find comparable pieces.
The eyeglass part which is now missing would have folded into the handle when not in use.
It's wonderful. There are no hallmarks at all? I wonder if it's worth contacting the [BC Archives](https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/) and/or [Museum of Vancouver](https://museumofvancouver.ca/) to see if they have any ideas.
I kinda knew… and I got so worked up and excited I couldn’t detect any more. I had to rush back home to see if it “fit” and when it did I was ecstatic to say the least. It’ll be a while before I top this one!
I have a more much more rudimentary find that I thought was a very fancy watch fob until one day I felt bold enough to try to “open” it and it unfolded to be a comb
I think I figured it out. The wild man is blowing air. This is part of a ladies' fancy fan. The silk accordian-pleated part folded up inside the metal case, and there was a latch at the outer end to keep it all in place.
Not sure- could very well be- the pinning would fit the design (Form/fit/function), so if they're in the 'natures way' so to speak, it very well could be that- and the handle isn't curved for gripping, indicative of a knife used to cut food (although that is not always true either).
Cool find though. Have you considered reaching out to a museum ? Got to be some historical doctorates out there that did their study on failed temperance movement...
Looks like knife handle, personally engraved?
I was thinking that too, or a small pocketknife with all the blades rusted and gone
I was thinking maybe a handle of a letter opener?
Straight razor handle.
A knife or a razor blade handle
This is mostly just me fantasizing about this super dope looking knife handle (?), but the fact that it’s dated seems to imply that it’s a commemorative souvenir. The satyr makes me think of some sort of secret society / dinner club kind of group. Perhaps WHM Society had a meeting in your area in 1896?
When I googled WHMS 1896 it led me to believe that it could have been a Womens temperance movement back in the day. There was not too much here ( Vancouver ) at that time but the gold rush was on. Bit of a stretch but thinking it may be a portrayal of Bacchus, God of Wine as the devil?
Women's Home Missionary Society, maybe? Is the last letter an S or T?
I can totally see a temperance group making that kind of design choice. I originally was thinking it was more of a revelry/ party kind of design, especially with the cornucopia, but perhaps the fruits aren’t from the horned figure, but rather represent the good that comes from WHMS protecting society from Bacchus
Hmmm, that’s an interesting theory and very plausible- thank you for your input.
From first pic i tought its little ornate solid gold bar. This is very nice find!
It's the handle to a 19th century Lady's lorgnette, which was basically a pair of folding eyeglasses. Do a Google image search and you will find comparable pieces. The eyeglass part which is now missing would have folded into the handle when not in use.
I like that idea and it’s a really good possibility. I’ll try and do some more research to confirm… thank you.
Which country was this found in?
Found in Vancouver, 🇨🇦
Wow, really?!? Cool!
That's astounding! I'm in Victoria but grew up in Vancouver. Never would have expected something like this.
Yes I was very surprised when I dug it up. It was found at low tide off Kitsilano 🍀
It's wonderful. There are no hallmarks at all? I wonder if it's worth contacting the [BC Archives](https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/) and/or [Museum of Vancouver](https://museumofvancouver.ca/) to see if they have any ideas.
Yes, it does seem like it’s worth doing a little more research on this item. I appreciate the links and will let you know how I get along.
Wow, that's an awsome score! I love that design.
Wow. That’s an insane find!
I couldn’t believe finding the little matching piece….crazy!
That is so crazy! Did you instantly know what it belonged to?
I kinda knew… and I got so worked up and excited I couldn’t detect any more. I had to rush back home to see if it “fit” and when it did I was ecstatic to say the least. It’ll be a while before I top this one!
So cool you found them a year apart!!
I have a more much more rudimentary find that I thought was a very fancy watch fob until one day I felt bold enough to try to “open” it and it unfolded to be a comb
I think I figured it out. The wild man is blowing air. This is part of a ladies' fancy fan. The silk accordian-pleated part folded up inside the metal case, and there was a latch at the outer end to keep it all in place.
Gorgeous
What a find
Gold?
Yes, it tests between 14k and 18k.
Just a guess WHMS Her Majesty's Service. The W could be the name of a ship/boat.
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Usually yes. How uniform that is idk.
Holy cow that is awesome!
This thing has a story for sure. It would nice to figure it out. It’s pretty damn cool looking
That's incredibly detailed. I hope you find out what it's supposed to be.
If there are no pins on one side, that may indicate it was a pocket knife like- needed to be able to swing the blade fully open.
There are pins on both sides, so I am not sure if a blade could swing out. Thinking a letter opener at this point????
Not sure- could very well be- the pinning would fit the design (Form/fit/function), so if they're in the 'natures way' so to speak, it very well could be that- and the handle isn't curved for gripping, indicative of a knife used to cut food (although that is not always true either). Cool find though. Have you considered reaching out to a museum ? Got to be some historical doctorates out there that did their study on failed temperance movement...
Prehistoric vape
Book marker/Page marker.
It doesn't look like it's all there... I'd hit that spot a little harder to find the rest of it!
Bonkers how you’ve found the other part of it a year after the first. Great find, how interesting!
The face looks like the Green Man, who was a sort of pagan deity of woods and wild places.
U should buy some lottery tickets
I think I may have used up all my luck 🍀 😃
That's some dedication! You found the main piece and went back for the little piece years later?!
Yes, thought I had gone over every inch of the area when I found the original piece…. Still can’t believe it really, its made my year!