This is a very unusual late 1700s knitting sheath, I was told by the previous owner it was dutch and similar ones were illustrated in a book.
This knitting sheath, maybe carved by a dutch sailor has a figural top of a lady holding a cup. A hole in the head for the knitting stick to go into.
The bottom section resembles a letter opener and could have doubled up as two functions.
The sheath measures 27.5cm l .