What does anyone make of these strange little things? Not sure about what type of wood it is, but must be hardwood of some sort. Beautifully turned with inlay decoration, but can't make out what it is - bone of some sort. It doesn't have a lustre, so I'm guessing it isn't mother-of-pearl. When I look at it thru' a lens, it has ridges that go in one direction. The insides are lacquered.
They only stand 1?" high with a 1?" diam. opening. Too small for hens' eggs, but may be something like quails' eggs. (Do people eat boiled quails' eggs???). I would have thought they were too lightweight and delicate to be used as egg-cups, but can't think what else they might be. Salts ?
Any ideas as to what they are and how old they might be, would be much appreciated.
