What would this be ?

[olikara]

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you for your comments. I am surprised that this is a real powder horn; it is rather heavy to carry, has no spout to pour the powder and the screw in the base is rather loose. I would understand if it were a decorative object to resemble a powder horn, but not the real thing .

I still believe that this is later piece and a powder horn, probably for the rustic householder who would have used the powder to shoot anything from Duck to Wild Boar. Else, it could have been used as a Lime box to store lime which would be spread on betel leaf and chewed as 'Pan'. But such pieces usually have a small chain with spoon/needle near the lid to remove the lime from the box when needed. Lime boxes have been found in may shapes but zoomorphic forms are rare but not unknown.