MOP Insert in Top of Octagonal BIM Shaker; Why?

It's ~4" high, ~2 1/2" wide; the visible portion on the MOP is ~1 1/16" diameter; the 9 holes in the piece are ~.100" diameter. The shaker has only the numeral 5 on the bottom, pic 3, no other marks to date or ID its maker. 2-part mold, very cleanly done, no UV reaction.
The wrinkles visible on the nickel-silver ring appear to it having been dropped, hence the large chip in the MOP.
First, was it intended for salt, or some other granular seasoning? Was MOP particularly desirable as a foil against corrosion, or for another reason...or was it just a marketing gimmick? I've not seen another like this, have you? Thanks for lookin'!

 

Because it's pretty?

 

Maybe, Marie...but it really doesn't show the internal beauty that most MOP has...almost nondescript in hand. Thanks...

 

In the photos of the topside, material looks more like bone. But MOP a difficult camera subject.

 

I would say it was meant for salt. I have never seen that kind of insert in a shaker.
My guess is that it is depression glass.
I wonder if it is Hazel Atlas.

 

Could be...it's that quality.

 

Yes...an' this piece wasn't selected for its luster or other appearance related aspects. At first glance, it does resemble bone.

 

I must spend way too much time looking at salt & pepper shakers, because I've seen a lot of mother of pearl tops over the years, mounted in both plate and marked silver - the shell is dull and discolored from many decades of use (its look can improved)...

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...bnBAjkQ0pQJegQICxAB&biw=1536&bih=707&dpr=1.25

~Cheryl

 

so the salt won't corrode the metal..

 

Thanks, Cheryl...Quite an assortment!