I have no idea what the original use was, this is a small metal pot with a lid that screws on. I’m thinking Ink Well/Desk Tidy. No liner or ink stains so my theory is probably wrong.? Three screws keep it secured to a very old piece of circular wood.. The measurements are the base 4” 1/2 approx x 3/4” thick. Metal pot approx 2” 1/2 height x 2” wide at the top and 3” at the base. It has a substantial screw lid with a knob at the top. It has a brass finish and a heavy metal interior, looks like pewter or lead. Which you can just see forming a squarish patch on the outside. It also looks like an engineered item. There are tiny lines all around the screw top. The top and bottom screw very nicely together. Very neat item, can be repurposed to suit your needs.