mystery item possibly pacific northwest

Hi! Welcome!
I think it’s a spool for winding up yarn as it’s made by a machine or spinning wheel and then for a supply spool to feed another machine to make whatever.

 

I'm with King, a spool 'thing'.
The style looks Cambodian, but could we see more pictures, different views?
If it is Cambodian, it could be for silk.

 

Stylized tiger I’d say, maybe from India? Made of wood? May we see the underside?

 

this is the underside of the object

 

here are some more pics of object

 

My vote is still for Cambodia.

 

For sure not NW Coast, though.

 

I don't have any experience with Cambodian stuff, but I think Indonesian is also possible.

 

Doesn't look Indonesian to me. The shape of the Naga head is very Cambodian, Indonesian painted Nagas usually have tiaras, crowns or 'toping ketu', tight fitting cap-like crowns.
Cambodian Nagas:




Indonesian Nagas

 

Cool, I didn't even recognize it as a Naga (nor had I actually heard of a Naga). What is that much larger beast on the base - it looks kind of like a bear?

 

I am a Naga/Asian dragon addict.

Could be a Malayan sun bear:

Or a mythical beast, it probably has something to do with a Cambodian(?) story.