Celluloid — born from the search for an alternative to ivory, and soon embraced by jewellery makers.
In the mid-19th century, billiard balls were commonly made from expensive ivory. The search for a more affordable substitute helped inspire American inventor John Wesley Hyatt to develop Celluloid in the 1860s, one of the earliest commercially successful plastics.
Lightweight and highly versatile, Celluloid could be coloured, moulded and carved to imitate luxurious natural materials such as ivory, tortoiseshell and coral. It was soon adopted for jewellery, hair ornaments and elegant vanity accessories.
This antique ring box is a beautiful example of that early material innovation — an everyday object made decorative through a material that once represented something remarkably modern.
Condition: Very Good Vintage Condition with some visible glue residue inside the lid
Dimension: approx 8 x 6 x H4.5 cm
*There is no bible for every single vintage item. The era and origin are judged by experienced vintage dealers with their expertise and experience. We do not hold any responsibility upon inaccurate estimation. Thanks for your understanding.:)
