Id this metal box

Thank you in advance - please help me id this box -
handle is hollow - from mothers home greater than 30 years old - heavy - not hobby lobby thin stuff

2.5 in tall +/-
3.5 inches wide +/-

 

Welcome!
Please go back to the edit option and make your photos FULL IMAGE and always do this.
Thank you.
-
This item may be for carrying hot coals.
Stand by for more from others.

 

It's Chinese, whatever it is. Pretty.

 

Silk iron?

 

Hi,
I think Johnny has hit paydirt.
greg

 

If it is a silk iron, then I think it far more likely that the container held hot water, instead of coal. Silk is a very delicate material.

 

I was thinking coal as a bed warmer or similar.

 

It's not big enough to be a bed-warmer. Bed-warmers are round and flat, to cover as much surface-area as possible.

 

Calligraphers Yatate, for brushes and ink.

http://www.stutler.cc/pens/yatate/

 

Awesome - I think the winner is
anundverkaufen
...http://www.japaneseyatate.com/ -
thank you so much - now here is the value question - heirloom or junk?

 

There's value there....IMO...I'm not seeing junk..

 

Wow! Looks like we were all wrong! I never expected that as the answer...

 

We'll kiss my yatate.
Who knew.

 

Hi,
You are never too old to learn something.
greg

 

I'm not?
Who knew.

 

BUT! You CAN be too old to WANT to learn something................