What's this box fitted for?

early to mid century walnut miniature console box.
what's the interior fitted for? cigarettes? The recess is 3 inches front to back.

 

Cigarettes?

 

Since the compartment is a half circle shape, it doesn't seem to make sense that it would be made to hold cigarettes. That would be quite awkward.

No bright ideas are popping into my head though! I will just watch and wait. Somebody should know or at least have better ideas of what it might be for.

 

3 inches is about the length of a cigarette without a filter (Lucky Strike, Camel, Chesterfield, etc.). Picture them with their ends pointed at the hinge and the curved face of the box. There...isn't that better?

 

Yes! That is better. I can visualize them laying flat now instead of trying to make them stand on end on a curved surface. I always have been terrible at that visual spatial thing, LOL.

 

postage stamp holders are usually curved like that too on those desk tidy things?

 

Does that lift out? I wonder if it was for loose tobacco or tea?

 

What are the sizes ? Id use that in a dollhouse with a quickness !

 

It is not very clear when I try to enlarge the top open looks as if there is a protruding small part of a lock. I can’t see any catch in the opposite notch. What if anything is there? The back board appears to be set in slightly further than the patina following the half moon shape. It also appears that the whole inside may have been removed. I also noticed on the opening piece a wavy like as if it was pieced to repair the lid. It looks as if the wood on the front vertical wood has signs of it possibly being pried open. Is it possible it could lock? Is any access to a compartment under the curved inset? Maybe i am looking for the evidence on old wood where hands frequent that show nail marks from use anywhere if cigarettes were the were the use with this beautiful piece? What does the bottom look like? Hidden compartments are too fun to find and that looks like it should have one if it were in my possession I would grab a magnifier.