Have you ever opened a grandmother's dresser drawer and caught a faint whiff of camphor? There's a good chance something celluloid was hiding in there.
Celluloid is the light, thin, sometimes pearly plastic behind Victorian dresser sets, Art Deco ring boxes, kewpie dolls, hair combs and pin-back buttons. It came decades before Bakelite, and it was the first plastic most families ever owned. Here's what it is, how to spot it and how to look after it.
Our Art Deco J.C. Warner celluloid ring box is in the shop now for $48, and it's the only one we have.
See the ring box →
What celluloid is
Celluloid is made from cellulose nitrate mixed with camphor. John Wesley Hyatt patented it in the United States around 1870, partly in search of a replacement for ivory in billiard balls. It could be molded, carved, rolled thin, dyed any color and made to look like ivory, tortoiseshell, pearl, coral or marble, and it was cheap to make.
When it was made
Celluloid was everywhere from the 1880s into the 1930s. Ivory-look dresser sets, called French ivory or ivorine, were a favorite wedding and Christmas gift. In the 1920s and 1930s bright Art Deco colors took over, from jade green and coral pink to pearlized finishes. After World War II safer, cheaper plastics replaced it, and by the 1950s celluloid was mostly gone, apart from things like ping pong balls.
What collectors find
- Dresser sets: hand mirrors, brushes, combs, hair receivers, powder jars and button hooks.
- Ring and jewelry boxes: Art Deco presentation boxes that jewelers handed over with an engagement ring or a gift, often with a satin lid lining and a velvet pad inside.
- Jewelry: bangles, brooches, hair combs and buckles, often set with rhinestones.
- Toys and dolls: kewpies, rattles and small Japanese and German figures.
- Advertising: pin-back buttons, pocket mirrors and souvenir pieces.
How to recognize celluloid
- Weight: it's light and often thin, much lighter than Bakelite of the same size.
- Grain: ivory-look celluloid has fine, even parallel lines called graining. Real ivory has a crosshatched pattern instead.
- Layers: look at a broken or worn edge. Pearlized and ivory celluloid was often built up in thin layers.
- Smell: run it under warm (not hot) water or rub it until warm, and you'll often smell camphor, like a vapor rub. Bakelite smells sharp and chemical instead.
- Marks: look for words like Ivorine, Pyralin, Ivory Pyralin, French Ivory or a maker's stamp on the bottom.
Celluloid vs. Bakelite
Celluloid is light, thin and smells of camphor when warmed. Bakelite is heavy, solid, makes a deep clunk when tapped and smells sharp and chemical. Our Bakelite guide walks through those tests in detail.
See the difference in person: celluloid and Bakelite in the shop
Light celluloid next to solid Bakelite. Each one is a single piece, so when it's gone, it's gone.
A word of caution
Never use the hot pin test on celluloid. It burns quickly and fiercely. Keep it away from flames, heaters, hot cars and direct sun.
Celluloid sickness
As celluloid ages it can break down. Watch for cracking, crazing, a sticky or powdery surface, discoloration and a sharp vinegar-like smell. A piece that's breaking down can damage pieces near it, especially metal, so store it on its own with some air around it rather than sealed in a plastic bag.
Caring for celluloid
- Wipe it with a soft cloth dampened in water and a drop of mild soap, then dry right away.
- Never soak it, and never use alcohol, acetone, nail polish remover or harsh cleaners. They can dissolve or cloud the surface.
- Keep it away from heat and direct sun.
- Store it in a cool, dry place with a little airflow.
For more, see our guide to cleaning and caring for vintage finds.
Celluloid in the shop
We have an Art Deco J.C. Warner celluloid ring box in the shop now, a jade green beauty from Buffalo, New York with a raised floral lid, a satin-lined top and a velvet ring pad. More celluloid is on the way, and we'll add it here as it's listed. Every piece is the only one we have.
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Trinkets & oddities →Figurines & collectables →Vintage home decor →
Keep reading: What Is Bakelite? · What Is Lucite? · Vintage Trinket Boxes
Did your grandmother have a celluloid dresser set on her vanity? We'd love to hear what you remember about it.