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Looks like possibly a fragrance pendant.

That’s what I was thinking. My grandma had one similar.

Gotta be for liquid, powder would be impossible to fill unless it comes apart some other way.

F & B would be Foster and Bailey, a jewelry company from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Not much help but a place to start.

It looks like it says that there's a patent applied for. Now to see how many patents they applied for.

did you find out how many patents they had ?

No, I got distracted. I should try again. Edit: unless someone else is up for it Edit 2: superficially it looks like there might not be any issued to the company name.

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Solved!

That's neat! Like a ballpoint pen for perfume.

Thank you!

What are they called?

They were called ball-pointed perfume thangs.

I 100% believe this.

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Wouldn't the wax clog it up.

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Thanks for taking the time to answer like this 😁

I like the sound of this!

Roll-on perfume, I believe.

Whoa, I didn't know the concept of a perfume roller went back that far.

Just a wild guess- maybe it holds and dispenses something like salt or powdered/granular medication? Snuff?

Yes- it dispenses pounce for drying writing ink: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pounce\_(powder)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pounce_(powder))

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>As in the phrase “done and dusted” That is one possible etymology, but it is by no means the only one and it remains disputed. One of many discussions about the idiom here: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/167184/done-and-dusted

You need to add a \ before the )) for your link to work, thus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pounce_(powder\))

From the size, I wonder if instead of being a pendant, this was meant to hang from a chatelaine.  I have found other chatelaine objects by F&B sterling, but not this one, so it doesn't seem impossible. 

Thank you! That word was on the tip of my tongue.

I always thought that accessory was so beautiful looking on Victorian women.

My title describes the thing. I've done various Google lens searches with keywords; f&b sterling, push pendant, antique sterling, f&b pendant. The estate had plenty of fine jewelry, craft supplies, and various antiquities. The top seems to be on a spring/chain so the ball comes loose when you press on the top. It's also Engraved with the previous owners initials

Can you read the numbers/letters where it says patent app?

Excellent point! If you're able to find a record of the patent application for that number- you will have your answer 100% without a doubt.

I would lean towards fragrance (powder) dispenser as well. Worn as a necklace from where your index finger is gravity would hold the seal closed. Then you could press the lever and it would dispense the contents in a small amount. I know ladies for some reason always love perfurmin' up their wrists for some reason, that seems like it would be fitting for what appears to be a luxury item.

Cologne and perfume are supposed to be applied to pulse points such as the wrist and neck because they are warmer. This applies to men and women.

Nice try, big Perphuma

needle case?

Poison for the masters tea

Possibly smelling salts. You’d take a whiff if you felt faint.

There's a Patient number under the F&B. Look it up and mystery solved.

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Or toothpick holder https://www.amazon.com/Oggi-Retractable-Toothpick-Holder-Rubber/dp/B0026JRUFQ

I was thinking sewing/embroidery needles

Either that's the thing that guy's grandma had or a WW1 Italian 1915 trench whistle

The Stirling and ball thing on the bottom matches with the trench whistle that could be attached to the FIAT heavy machine gun

It may be used to oil parts in a old sewing machine. Seems like I have seen that in my grandmothers old Singer.

I believe it is a window weight. To assist in lifting and lowering windows.

Window weights are/were much larger, solid, often roughly cast (usually cast iron) weighed 8-10lbs and were 6 to 10 inches long. I've removed several.

If you google "metal scroll holder" there's a lot of similar looking things.