Not sure what this is - Etui? Snuff? Cocaine Holder? vinaigrette?

[KC]

Hi All!
It has been slow on the forum so I thought I would post an item I just bought recently because it intrigued me.  (I haven't done that for quite a long time so I have been good up until now!)

It is Sterling silver (and marked so) and has beautiful features..
This little item is right at 2 1/2" in length and just under 1/2" in width and is under 1/4" in depth.

Both ends are removable.  The long end could only hold a very small needle.  Mid section towards the longest end has a small hole in it but with no wear on the hole. 
The small rounded end is hollow but is so small you would have to be a young child to put it on your finger for use as a thimble (but it doesn't have dimples on the outside end to resemble a thimble so don't believe that is it's purpose.)  The mid section that faces the small rounded cap has what appears to be bone/wood that is VERY worn in it as can be seen in the picture. 

I have searched and searched since I just got this and it is puzzling me. 

The seller stated it was a Victorian Needle Holder but they didn't really know.  From what I know of them and have seen this doesn't appear to be one.

Any ideas Mart?

[KC]

More Pics

[KC]

again

[mart]

In the last pic,, what is packed inside the top??  That does not appear to be original to the piece !!  Also look and see if the hole is threaded inside if possible !!

[KC]

Hey Mart!  It does appear to be original to piece but well worn.  Looks like bone that has been well worn.

Could it be a Vesta?  Small matches could have fit in the bottom and the bone could have been used to strike?

The hole on the other end does not have any threads - just a hole that would go clear through if the "bone like" piece wasn't in there?!?

I pondered if a wick could go through to make it a type of vinaigrette with the top (pourous bone area) to be pourous to have the scent come through?!?

[mart]

Somewhere I read that a few Victorian women did smoke small dainty pipes !!  If that is true,, (cant remember where I read that)
but if so,,its possible that it could be a carrier for a few matches !!  The top could be used for tamping down the tobacco and as a striker !!  As to the hole,, depending on what is used as a striker,, could be just for ventilation and keeping it dry !!  Seems like this was more common in the UK and Europe than here but don`t hold me to that !!  Memory is vague !!