Pearl Inlay Knife Appraisal

Vintage Mother-of-Pearl Handled Pocket Knife with Bottle Opener

This item is a vintage pocket knife featuring a single main blade and an integrated bottle opener, housed within a handle crafted from what appears to be imitation mother-of-pearl or celluloid. The handle scales are a creamy white color with a characteristic iridescence and swirling patterns, mimicking natural mother-of-pearl. The scales are secured by metal caps at both ends of the handle, which show signs of tarnishing and wear, consistent with an older metallic material such as nickel silver or steel. The main blade is a simple, straight-edged design, exhibiting significant pitting, scratching, and dullness, indicative of heavy use and age. The bottle opener, positioned adjacent to the main blade, is integrated into the same joint and also shows surface wear and some discoloration. The overall construction suggests a utilitarian object, likely manufactured in the early to mid-20th century. There are no clear maker's marks or signatures visible from the provided images, which might be obscured by wear or located on the tang (not visible). The craftsmanship appears functional rather than ornate, typical of everyday carry items. The visible condition issues include significant wear on the blades, tarnishing on the metal caps, and some minor abrasions on the handle scales. This type of multi-tool was common for personal use, often carried in a pocket for various small tasks.