What is this used for - silver poppy head

[Peartree]

Hi, I have recently bought a set of Edward Hutton silver gilt poppy heads c 1890. They are normally sold as pomanders or peppers. I am not sure either description is right - I attach images via flickr including of a Sampson Mordan hot air balloon pendant that has a similarly designed interior. That makes me think the poppies can't be peppers! You cannot tell from the photos but the small holes surrounding the larger hole/container are linked at the bottom. I think perhaps you pushed pins/small sticks into the holes and pulled out a little of what was in the main container. I have in mind these might have been used for Laudunum or cocaine? Would love to get people's views. Thank you

Please let me know if there is a better way of inserting photos - I don't understand how to use the URL and Img buttons?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95286728@N06/

[oel]

Hi Peartree, welcome to the forum.

Your poppy heads are often called novelty pepperettes with a detachable cover. Are they marked? Normally marked on stem and on cover, if so could you please show us the marks and could you also inform us of the size and weight of the poppy’s. Thanks, below some useful information

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Oel.

[Peartree]

Hi, thank you. I cannot get a focussed image of the marks but they are marked on the stem for William Hutton and Son, 1908, with the sterling and date mark also on the stoppers, so quite late as most I have seen are 1890's by Edward Hutton. I dont think they are pepperettes, partly now I've seen the pendant I showed an imag eof but also because the stopper has to be pulled out a "dangerously" long way to stand any chance of getting pepper out - I tried!
Thanks
Anthony

[Peartree]

Just realised I didnt fully answer your question. Each one is 2oz (I have a set of four), London marked, about 8.5cm long.
Thanks

[oel]

Hi Antony,

Well, I thought the pepper should come easily out of the 8 holes in the poppy’s inner body, even if the cover is (almost) completely pushed against the inner ring, the shark teeth on the body of the poppy will pass the powder pepper, if shaken upside down. Laudanum is a tincture of opium (liquid) and I do not believe the poppy's to be used for any other drugs, hot pepper only. For reference:

Lot Description
A SET OF FOUR VICTORIAN PARCEL-GILT SILVER NOVELTY PEPPERETTES
MARK OF EDWARD HUTTON, LONDON, 1891
Each realistically modelled as a poppy head, with a detachable cover, marked on stem and on cover
3½ in. (9 cm.) high
8 oz. (248 gr.) (4)

However let us wait for others to comment .

Oel

[Peartree]

Thank you very much. The image you sent through depicts exactly what I have, though mine are later and with stronger gilding. I have had another go using them as peppers this morning - pretty hopeless but not inconceivable is how I would describe it. On closer inspection the stoppers are numbered, I have 1, 6, 9, and 15 which does suggest something for a table setting I would think.
Regards
Anthony