Carved wood

So sorry if this is not the correct thread.. any ideas about this box ? I assume it’s a tool box as it has a small tool in it and there is room for more... thank you!

 

Cool piece. Can we see a pic of the back and tool compartment ? Measurements are helpful too.

 

What is the small tool? Looks nothing like a tool box to me! It's pretty!

 

I think this may be the fully opened 'box' ... Joy.

 

The back is exactly like the front, same door. It’s approx 10 inches taller and approx 4 inches wide. The tool “compartment “ are some holes in the wood. I didn’t buy it, it was pretty expensive and since I know nothing about it..

 

I have no idea and I know it doesn’t look like a classic tool box, but I don’t know how else to describe it..

 

Sort of the size of an old wooden sewing box - what small tool did you find?

 

The tool is that scary looking shank thing on the right side of second pic.

 

The tool is the rusty pointy thing that’s on the inside (right side) of the door..

 

Ok thanks, I couldn't make out what that was!

 

Ok, brace yourself.
It is a 'kotak taji' or cockspur box from Bali or Lombok, Indonesia. The 'tool' is a cockspur, which was tied to the feet of the rooster to inflict more damage on its opponent while fighting.
Watching cockfighting and gambling on the outcome were a favourite pastime there. I believe it is illegal now, but no doubt it still happens.
This one is an oldie, but I think you probably don't want to buy it now you know. (I wouldn't.)

 

Another one:

https://www.art-from-bali.com/details_eng.aspx?produkt-id=672

I won't show you the real thing, but here is a Balinese painting of a cockfight, you can see the spurs:

 

There I was thinking maybe an incense box ! Yikes !

 

There is even a book about them:
Pieter van Donk: Indonesian Cockspur Cases: Kotak Taji. Bali, Lobok, Sulawesi, Kalimatan. HES & De Graaf, 2000. ISBN 906194029X

 

Absolutely horrible !
Thank you so much for finding what it was.. now I'm so very glad that I didn't buy it !