Featured Small black stone carved elephant.

I'm not sure I am posting this in the right place since I really don't know anything about its origin or exact purpose. It is around 2.5 inches long, 2 1/8" tall and 2 1/8" wide. It is very heavy for its size, around 9.5 oz. I was assuming it is some sort of stone but it could also be glass. I'm not sure what the two holes on the top are but my first thoughts were pencil or brush holder or else something that is missing would be inserted into them. Thanks for any help or ideas.

 

does a pencil sit well in it? Could be pencil holder/paper weight .

 

Netsuke?

 

Money box for paper notes only.

 

Do the holes connect?

 

I'd be thinking pencil holder too.

 

I was leaning toward pencil holder too, but after trying it out as one it looks a bit awkward, at least with new pencils. Still not ruling it out, and it almost has a Scandinavian feel to it to me, but honestly I have no clue. The holes do not connect either. It does make a very nice paperweight though, and maybe that's all it is intended to be used for. It's the holes that add a little mystery.

 

Hmmm, I would have thought more of an incense holder.