Antique Holder of some sort

[wendy177]

Sorry but  I do not think this is for cigarettes to small at 2.25 inches wide, Frogpatch your first one looks to at least 4" around and your second one is large enough to have a central handle Plus this one is oval and looks to not have a flat bottom to stand on a table.

[bigwull]

This looks like a hand held..pot-pouri container...they were used by the wealthy...in the UK...especially in the big cities..during the 17th /18th century...when sanitation was not all that it should have been...It definitely is not a Vesta Case..i.e. for holding matches...

[KC]

Wullie you beat me to it but I believe the correct word for it was a Pomander.  

It held a solid perfume or aromatic so that it would make the area around the wearer smell better.  They would also put citrus peels (usually orange) with small sponges soaked in essential oils in them and believed that the smells were medicinal - protecting them from diseases such as the plague.  For women they were generally worn around the neck on a chain  For men they were worn on a chain suspended on the belt.

An example here:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/396840-4994/Stunning-Vintage-Silver-Pomander-Locket
 
Just found where men would often carry them in times of rampant disease!
http://www.ascasonline.org/VINAIGRETTE.html

However, here is another possibility....a hairpin holder?!?! 
http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/appraisals/what-its-worth?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_ant_non_091912_what-its-worth&kw=ist#

[cogar]

Good one Frogpatch.

I was just about to say that "you don't need a "striker" for the type of matches that would have been carried in it". They would have been "strike anywhere" matches.

[bigwull]

Nooooooooo!!...these kind of matches were not around in the UK..when there was a need for a Vesta case,...and there not around now..as we have mostly safety matches..which can only be struck non the box that they come in...you can,t strike them on any hard surface as they won,t work....

[cogar]

be careful of those boxes, they have red phosphorus on them. 

[bbc-antiques.co.uk]

How big is it? Looks like it could be a sewing thimble case.

could be to hold a nutmeg grater ?

[Ipcress]

Would any of you keep cigarettes or matches in something with holes in it ?

I'd say bodkin case.

[KC]

Definitely not for needles!   They would fall straight through!

Starting to wonder if it could possible be a French Billet Doux.  Communications were sent rolled up in holders like this between lovers/friends/clandestine business, etc.

[Ipcress]

Are they ends pierced like the sides ?

[bigwull]

give that man a coconut.....if you look very closely at the pic..you can see oles.....that,s holes without....

[xmelax38]

Whatever it is, that is very pretty!