Topic: Can anyone identify what this is

[patgc]

just back from my hols and see there is still interest in my item. Yes I definitely think its more Science Fiction than fact. I have scanned and looked and asked and have still not come up with anything 'concrete'. As to what it is made from, thats still got me stumped. I am leaning back towards bone as when I did the hot pin test again, there was a slight smell of burning hair, again no melt or smell of plastic. I am assured that bone or ivory smells of burnt hair.. I really dont think that unless I can send it away to a specialist somewhere ( which I can't afford) I will never get a definite answer.

[Lustrousstone]

I wonder if it's Bakelite. Bone usually has very tiny holes in it, but that appears perfectly smooth

[antiquerose123]

Isn't there a Bakelite test by rubbing....if it gives off a certain smell?  Never done the test, so not sure of the smell... 

[Tigerchips]

Bakelite smells like carbolic acid when rubbed, whatever that smells like.  

[Tigerchips]

Maybe it's an "end of day" brooch.

[Carolyn Preston]

Maybe it's an "end of day" brooch.

Say what? What on earth is that?

Carolyn

[Tigerchips]

Just like "end of day" glass, only with plastic.

End-of-day glass

Produced (often by apprentices) by rolling a gather onto a random assortment of coloured glass fragments (literally, whatever was left at the end of the day) on the marver, then blowing and shaping (compare Spatter glass)

http://www.great-glass.co.uk/glass%20notes/glossa-e.htm

Although here it says it has to be mixed with two colours. 
http://antiques.about.com/od/resourcesforbeginners/g/aa041306.htm

[Anne E.B.]

Bakelite has a kind of soapy smell when rubbed with a wet finger, but don't go licking it .
I've been reading this thread with fascination
I'm totally mystified.

[patgc]

No, no smell of soap in fact no smell of anything.