What-is-it question CLXIV.

[2209patrick]

This item was produced by William Keyser Vanderslice of San Francisco, California.
He began working in San Francisco in 1858 and died in 1899.
The firm was sold to Shreve & Company in 1908 after the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

My estimate of the height is between 4 and 5 inches ( 10.16 and 12.7 cm.).
What was it used for ?



Pat.
.

[JLDoggett]

A pepper mill? Appears to be standing on ivory handles.
.

[2209patrick]

Well done Jim.

Yes, this is a pepper grinder.
The stand is turned with the piece inverted to allow the the pepper fall from the narrow end.

Here's a French example in silverplate:


Pat.
.