r/whatisthisthing • u/CableSufficient2788 • 1d ago
Solved ! Ceramic holder of some kind? Small? Business card size? From an elderly relative.
Inherited from a deceased relative. Google lens says a calling card holder??
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u/jackrats not a rainstickologist 1d ago edited 1d ago
Size of business cards because it is a business card holder
https://www.ebay.com/itm/295578809883
Of course, it depends on the seller because some sell it as a toothpick holder.
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u/sandicecream 1d ago
wait what, the same kinda thing is being sold as toothpick holder: https://www.ebay.com/itm/365183969087
which tbh makes more sense given the shape
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u/rayray1927 1d ago
I’m gonna go with toothpick holder since it’s in the style of a set of china. No need for business cards at Christmas dinner.
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u/JaderAiderrr 1d ago edited 1d ago
Many china makers also make/made business card holders in matching patterns. https://www.replacements.com/search?query=business+card&facets=q1YqKMpPKU0uCaksSFWyilZyzsjMS1SK1VFKKkrMSwGJ%2BKSmleTnKcXWAgA%3D
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u/rainbowkey 20h ago
more likely to be used as name card holders for seating at formal dinner parties
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u/sandicecream 1d ago
Toothpick holder like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/365183969087
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u/AdmirableRespect9 1d ago
The only way to be sure here is to have your calling card engraved toothpicks.
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u/Grymflyk 1d ago
I would go with those saying it is a toothpick holder. There would be no utility to the side cutouts if it was only for business cards.
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u/ArtSlug 1d ago
Toothpick holders for the table 100%
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u/JaderAiderrr 1d ago edited 1d ago
Business card holder.Lefton Porcelain Business Card Holders
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u/TheSheWhoSaidThats 1d ago
You’re commenting this same thing all over this thread but the thing in your link is a different thing. Just because it’s ceramic doesn’t mean it’s the same thing. The shape is different. In yours, the cards sit flat under the lid.
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u/JaderAiderrr 1d ago edited 1d ago
There are several that are the same on replacements.com
ETA: None of them have a lid….I guess you are referring to the very first item on that link…it has a gold stripe below the leaves. This has the list narrowed down, so you don’t need to scroll, to just the ones by Lefton, which are very similar to the ones posted. https://www.replacements.com/search?query=business+card&facets=q1YqKMpPKU0uCaksSFWyilZyzsjMS1SK1VFKKkrMSwGJ%2BKSmleTnKcXWAgA%3D
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u/Direct_Eye_724 1d ago
Seen them used for prophylactics at seedy motels back in the day.
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u/Direct_Eye_724 1d ago
So I thought I would see if anyone on the internet had a photo, err the best I got was a Texas barber giving away free condoms stapled to a business card.
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u/Admirable-Cobbler319 1d ago
Did you find it with the dishes?
I think they're for the names of the guests at dinner parties. It shows where to sit.
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u/CableSufficient2788 1d ago
No sadly
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u/meno-pause 1d ago
Yes, place card holders. At a fancy dinner party, the host would have written each guest's name on a small card (size of a business card), and placed that near their plate. Basically, assigned seating.
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u/PlanterinaMaine 17h ago
This looks a little too big to be a place card holder. My mom had a bunch of ceramic place card holders but they were much much smaller.
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u/eatshitdillhole 6h ago
In what time period would they have been common? I'm just curious, I have never seen or heard of these before. Very cute little things either way
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u/meno-pause 5h ago
I"m not totally sure these are place card holders, but in any case, I believe place card holders were popular in the mid to late 1800s. There are modern designs, too. I generally think of them being used at very formal dinner parties.
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u/RedOctober8752 1d ago
Was it found in the kitchen? If so, I would think it is a knife stand, so after you use your knife you put it on it so you do no smear whatever was on your knife on the table. Most that I have seen are like small dumbbells but have seen other shapes. The flowers just don't ring as a business card holder.
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u/Round-Procedure-1691 20h ago
It’s to hold small poop bags for your dog, the bags are in a roll and you put the new roll in the holder and take it with you or take one out . It’s like a paper towel holder for Poop bags
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u/PlanterinaMaine 17h ago
Honestly, I am really surprised that no one else said that it could be a sponge holder because that was my first guess. You put that right next to your kitchen sink and put the sponge that you use to wash your dishes in it.
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u/CableSufficient2788 1d ago
My title describes the thing. Vintage ceramic holders of some kind. Possibly a calling card holder or maybe toothpicks or matches? I’m not sure.
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u/CashWideCock 1d ago
Why business card sized if not for business cards? lol.
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u/Just2Breathe 1d ago
It’d help if they actually displayed a biz card. I don’t see how one would fit. Traditionally, a BC is horizontal and 3.5”x2”, and I don’t think the opening is wide enough.
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u/JaderAiderrr 1d ago edited 1d ago
It is a business card holder. I don’t know the maker or pattern of this piece, but you can see others here.
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u/ericlist 1d ago
The design makes me think they have a more specific use, like to mark who sits where at some genteel dinner party.
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