What is this Asian Dragon Plastered and Painted Turned Wood Tube

This came from an auction in a shelf lot. It's 22" by 4-1/2". It has 2 rings opposite each other at the outside on the open end. And it looks like it had one ring at the bottom but has lost it.

The wood was turned with ribs to hold the plaster layer, I assume. It has a dragon circling it.

Any idea what this was for and maybe how old it is? Thanks!

 

I seem to remember seeing these in the 70s ,usually with that ghastly grass but sometimes with feathers. I could see it as an umbrella stand .

 

My first thought was umbrella stand too. But it would barely hold 2 umbrellas.

 

Stick stand?

 

It looks like a Tibetan vessel used to store milk or water.
It is missing its lid and there is some damage, but still an interesting piece.

 

This one still has its lid and looks undamaged, it is probably newer than yours:


https://www.thanka.nl/item/dhunggro.htm

 

Thank you very much!