Cool little puzzler , Baulde .
Perhaps the 'black powder' you've mentioned is a clay &/or ceramic compound , intended to weight the base of your item ....
I'd guess that this item was intended as one that would dispense dry powders (talc , soap) , perhaps even in a barber shop .... seems like it may have a missing part (or two?) from the central stem , though .
Thanks for posting it !