A very nicely figured 19th century Lignum Vitae  cylinderical string box. The lid, which is stepped,  has a finial enclosing a blade so that the string inside the box can be pulled out through the hole in the lid and cut to size using the blade. The blade is completely protected by the finial. The blade cutter is a useful addition so that scissors arent needed,
It measures 17cm h x 11cm w.