Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Oh Ho a French Antique Guessing Game

 

The French antique guessing game is simple

Guess what this is in the comment section or by email. The first one to get it right will receive a Christmas cheer in the mail. If you do not have a clue what this is, dream up something creative and put it in the comment section. The one deemed most originally creative will have a little cheer to sent to their mailbox too.

 

It is not a pocket watch, I would have known that.

 

 

 

I did not buy it, but found it unusual in size (very large and roundish) so asked the antique dealer what it was. Then had to put it here to see what you might think that it is. Happy guessing.

 

xxx

 

Comments

39 responses to “Oh Ho a French Antique Guessing Game”

  1. Marilyn

    You put something small and warm inside and tuck it into your pocket to keep your hand warm on a cold day.

    Reply
  2. Diogenes

    A 19th c. makeup compact?

    Reply
  3. Jacklynn Lantry

    Beats the heck out of me…

    Reply
  4. Toni

    It’s a portable fire alarm gong. 😉

    Reply
  5. George in Brooklyn

    Hi Corey,
    Perhaps a wine-tasting cup you carry around with you…
    Happy holidays!!

    Reply
  6. Kipper

    Pocket watch or compass.

    Reply
  7. Kipper

    Errr compass or flasklette for just a bit of Christmas cheer .

    Reply
  8. Mardog

    Christmas ornament

    Reply
  9. Julia – Vintage with Laces

    Is it a snuff box?

    Reply
  10. Kathleen

    Powder puff box.

    Reply
  11. Tara

    A bathtub or sink stopper sans chain…

    Reply
  12. Lilly

    Is there a compass inside? And it’s on a ‘shell’ plate because you use a compass to navigate on the ocean?

    Reply
  13. Julia – Vintage with Laces

    If it is not a snuff box, then it is one of those very rare magic brocante wish boxes. When you are in the mood to visit a brocante, you press the button on the magic box and it beams you right in the middle of a flea market pr antique market. It’s always a surprise though, in what country and town you will appear. Good thing is that you will always find the appropriate currency in your wallet and you’ll be dressed according to the weather when you arrive. When you’re done shopping, you press the button again and you will be back home in a second, along with all your new treasures.
    You certainly were tempted to buy this magic box but you didn’t because this one has a male function. It doesn’t just take you to another place but also back in time and we all know that this can cause problems with the space time continuum.

    Reply
  14. Shelley Noble

    All the answers are so great! I never would have thought of those! I’m TERRIBLE at Corey’s famous French Broconte Guessing Games.

    Reply
  15. Barbara Costa

    if we could vote, I vote for Julia….oh to have a magic brocante wish box!!

    Reply
  16. Robin

    Is it a container for smelling salts?

    Reply
  17. Taste of France

    It’s to hold kohl for eyeliner. The top comes off and there’s a little metal stick like a blunt needle attached to it. I have one that’s slightly smaller and elaborately decorated.

    Reply
  18. Mary

    It’s a compass to lead us to the Cassis house when we come to visit!!

    Reply
  19. Dd

    It’s a weight that hangs inside your toilet at t end of t bar. It lifts up when you flush and floats back down to stop t water from running.

    Reply
  20. Sarah

    Hand warmer. Makeup tin. Put a gorgeous red ribbon on it and it’s a beautiful ornament!!! That’s what I did with mine that’s similar I got at the Brussels flea market. I hung it from a tall standing clock and it stays up all year 🙂
    Julia’s response is the BEST!!

    Reply
  21. Jennie

    I think it is a magic charm. You rub it and you are back in Willows attending the longest hair contest. Or you are in Paris without having to ride the train. Or you are in a hot climate getting a sun tan. Or you are in a cold climate cooling off. Where ever you want to be, give it a little rub and there you are. You are only there momentarily but it is the little moments that make up your big, beautiful life!!

    Reply
  22. Marcia

    A clock pendulum weight.

    Reply
  23. Mary Ann

    I’d like to daydream that it is a trinket box .. to hold whatever little “treasures ” one would desire… shells or stones from the beach … Grandmothers ring … .or a ” held close to your heart ” note from a person you love ?!? … or maybe it’s a Portable soap dish ….😬

    Reply
  24. JanetD

    I think if it was a man’s it would be a hip flask for a “little reviver” . If a woman’s it would have a liquid to be used as a smelling salt.

    Reply
  25. Paulette in DC

    There actually are two of these objects in a set.
    Back in the 1700’s in rural France, there were these once a year very, very fancy parties where every woman over eighteen in the village would put on their ultra fancy silken and satin gowns, white powdered wigs and glass slippers,
    One year, there was a Kleenex tissue strike and none of the Kleenex boxes were available for miles and miles around in the countryside. Women were distraught. No tissue to sneeze into, nor stuff into their bodice to enhance their busty gowns.
    The local silversmith and horse-shoeing villager became quite popular that year as he created a pair of orbs each destined to assist his three daughters while “uplifting their spirits”. As they carefully laced up in bodice hugging gowns, the girls tossed in the silver orbs to enhance their ample bosums much like they had hidden the Kleenex tissues in years past.
    The fancy ball was a huge success and the three daughters look splendid in their enhanced gowns. Now if we could only find their glass slippers…

    Reply
  26. charland

    They are Mercury glass gazing balls to see your dreams come true.

    Reply
  27. Beverly

    “It is large and roundish” …but small enough to fit in palm of hand. It opens up and is perfect to put bee pollen granules in and stick in your pocket or purse to eat, for when you need a ‘whoosh ‘ of energy!

    Reply
  28. Jennifer

    Is it for keeping “beauty spots” popular at one time long ago? Are there accordion pockets inside? I have one with accordion pockets inside.

    Reply
  29. WR

    It’s a luxury Barbie hat case.
    OR
    The top thingy screws off to fill this little flask with Cognac for an evening skate or poison for someone who is really, really bugging you.

    Reply
  30. Debra

    Ok so 100 yrs ago, just passed the Victorian age, women could not express their true thoughts and feelings toward their spouse, a mother-in-law, or a friend without serious discern from the villagers. One day, while gazing at the silver ornaments on the Christmas tree, a downstairs servant knew that she had the answer for womanhood. She would go to the silversmith/ornament maker in the village and ask him to craft a little heavier silver bell, but flatten it somewhat. She held out her hand to show him the perfect size. The silver maker completely understood this servant’s wish, you see, he was married to a very strong gregarious woman whom he was constantly keeping in place in fear of total ostracization. Thus, the first executive pacifier was created!

    Reply
  31. Martha

    It’s a Wishkeeper
    “When you give this to a friend, every time they open it
    their home is filled with your love & good wishes”

    Reply
  32. Michele

    A perfume bottle.

    Reply
  33. margotk5@telus.net

    Margot. what a beautiful find. First I thought it was a ladies “wine flask”, then a vessel for water while traveling on the dusty roads, and then perhaps a carrier for holy oil.

    Reply
  34. Chico Sue

    A holy water vial?

    Reply
  35. Cindy

    This is a T. T. We all know that French men were known for their abilities in the bedroom — known for their lustiness, and their preparedness to participate in such activities. But France can become quite chilly in winter and, uh-hum, that quick preparedness could quite vanish if, eh-hmm, that male’s nether regions were too chilly. So, he carried his handy T. T. (testicle toaster) in various pockets, moving it closer and closer to the, huh-tmm, area between the legs as he needed to in wintry weather. Such a T. T. was stuffed by the man’s valet with medium hot coals, and originally had a chain to help the man move this orb about his pockets discreetly. Traveling by unheated carriage or walking through snowy streets, this ingenious man could smile to himself, knowing that he would be, uh-ho, ready on the spot. Salacious trysts happened often in these carriages and what was a man to do if he was, oh-dear, “too cold” for quick, on the spot action? Or if the husband was expected soon, and the man had just arrived from quite cold conditions, the man could enter his lady’s boudoir, and quickly, uh-yes, do the deed! Quite an invaluable device wouldn’t you say?

    Reply
  36. Janet Eiffel

    I have read all the answers here so far.
    Can’t think of anything else to add……..
    Except….
    I’m sure Queen Victoria had one of these !!

    Reply
  37. Tongue in Cheek

    Thank you Jennie! That is a good wish token!

    Reply
  38. martha

    I think maybe its a small receptacle for opium.

    Reply
  39. Jan

    So sorry I missed this, but it is making for a good read and a jolly laugh!

    Reply

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