does anyone know what this is?
 

My friend inherited her grandmothers treadle machine. This was in one of the drawers. It is made of bone. has small holes in it. I wondered out loud if it might be a thread separater of some kind. Would appreciate any help. The machine was from about 1914-1920.

I have one too in a box with my parents' things. I think mine's plastic. I was told it's a letter opener, but I'm not so sure. If you look at yours with a magnifying glass you'll be able to tell if it's bone/ivory or stamped plastic. I'll be watching for the real answer.

It's bone. that I know already. and letter opener did cross my mind, but the edges seem too wide and rough for it to be used for that.

it is a letter opener

It's a letter opener.

It may be a letter opener but my Grandma had something like that (less ornate) and she used it to crease paper after it had been folded. She worked in a book bindery for years and it was what they used on the pages of the books to really crease the paper fold. I also own a similar one (it's plastic) and use it when I make cards, I bought it at Stampin Up. Maybe it was used in quilting somehow? I use my plastic one when I am cutting fabric and need a good fold. The one pictured is beautiful.

I hate to disagree, but I believe it's plastic or celluloid. I can see the "pour" lines around the elephant. Here's a few exactly like it for sale on ebay. Cool find! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Elep...-/370529836737

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CELL...#ht_1078wt_973

Looks like a letter opener to me. IMHO

If you really want to know what it is made of, heat a needle then touch it to the piece in an inconspicuous place. If it melts it is plastic. If it doesn't melt it is bone or Ivory.