Old Australian ?pottery

[maggbill]

Hi there everyone,
Should maybe ask Antiques Roadshow about this one - but RC'atters are so knowledgeable - might just get some ideas. 
I picked up this small piece of pottery here in Adelaide South Australia - years ago - and just don't have an idea what it was originally meant to be for.  It looks old to me, doesn't have special markings, and may be worth absolutely nothing, but what do you think?  Will attach a photo or two.
Cheers
Maggs

[maggbill]

Oh dear - rather a fuzzy photo - will try to attach another, closeup of details.  The actual dish is about 7 or 8 inches long and only about 4 inches wide.
Here goes with another try.

[Ruskie]

What's inside it Maggs? I think I can see a ridge of some sort? Can you take a photo of it?

First thought .... pen holder, toothbrush holder or soap dish? It looks like it could have been part of one of those toiletry sets with wash jug, bowl, chamber pot, soap dish etc etc.

It looks like it might be "victorian" era. Not unusual for there to be no markings. 

[Malcolm33]

  Yes I was going to say soap dish.   It is a bit long for today's bars of soap, but then the old chunks of carbolic may be closer for it to serve in the kitchen wash up.

[Ruskie]

It could be an import from England rather than Australian. Looking at ridge inside I think it would once have had a lid. In that case, my vote is for a toothbrush holder.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/caratch1/vintage-toothbrush-holders/

[Ruskie]

Does yours look like this inside?
https://tamarackshackantiques.com/product/victorian-maroon-gilded-toothbrush-holder-case-dish-oblong-9-long-antique-cover/

Added: Without it's lid, yes, it will only be worth a few dollars.  Still, a handy little object for putting things in. (I have many such 'handy' objects with lots of things in them.  )

[maggbill]

Hi there Ruskie and Malcolm

Yes - you have got it!!!  Ruskie - the links re Victorian Toothbrush holders you have given me answer the question totally - mine has the two ridges  inside and the ridge outside obviously for lid - and obviously  it isn't as flash as the one worth $80 - mine has lost the lid, but looks just the exact shape.  Whether it is Australian or English? - I am opting for Australian - but that is pure guesswork.  At least I now know that in fact I am using it for its original purpose - and who knows whose denture hygiene was taken care of by the same piece of memorabilia!  And most likely more than 100 hundred years old!  Well done people - knew you would be helpful!  Thanks again!

[Ruskie]

Great that you are using it for it's intended purpose Maggs. I still favour that it is English but that is just a guess based on nothing in particular, except that loads of pottery items came from England in that era. 

[maggbill]

Hi again Ruskie,

On looking at more of the examples on the links you sent me, there is at least one or two who might be closely related - one in particular being sort of cream pottery with dark green pattern somewhat similar to mine and it says "Staffordshire pottery".... I am totally ill informed about antiques - pottery in particular, but do know that Staffordshire was a very well known make/area for this sort of thing.  So - true - English it might definitely be.  Makes it even more interesting!  It has travelled far possibly!!!  will save it up for /if ever Antiques Roadshow comes to my home town!