Blackface Pin help please

[bunker314]

Hello All,
Found this pin a couple of weeks ago and have exhausted all my avenues of research. Any help would be appreciated. Found in a backyard of a home along with a lead toy man. The house dates back to about 1915. As you can see it came out in great shape except for the pin missing. The compartment in the back is a mystery. I believe it is made of brass. One link I was given had a similar face but was attached to a perfume bottle.
My Questions are...
#1 Time Frame?
#2 What is the vented compartment in the back for?
Thanks in advance!
Bunker

 

[fenian13]

I would guess some flapper wore it back in the day.

Blackface was a vaudville favorite and I would assume the perforated back held a cloth or sponge with a few drops of perfume.

The sitting man is cool, those oddball things are always a treat.

Great scores.

 

[bunker314]

Thanks Fenian 13, One of those pieces that you just go... Huh? You just never know what some people will wear.
HH
Bunker

 

[fenian13]

You're welcome, in all honesty you gave me the clue when you mentioned a perfume bottle.

best of luck.

The fenian.

 

[Ism]

The sitting man looks like the lead toy soldiers that I have found.

 

[bunker314]

Thanks for your reply Ism, it was my first lead soldier. I was excited to find it for sure!
HH
Bunker