I watched this online for a couple of days before purchasing it but kept thinking about it in the interim, and I remain fairly obsessed with it now. A very elegant, graceful form, carved of very beautiful wood that looks like burl and is a rich honey color (detail photos of the wood give a sense), with very lovingly relief carving of a leafy vine along the top ridge, almost evoking a spine, which then branches to encircle the neck, as if wrapping around the trunk of a tree. More carved decoration around the bottom of the base in the form of a series of abutting circles incised with arched lines that create a sort of quatrefoil pattern. Then a tightly fitted plug (which can not be removed) at the center of the flat end. I believe it is a powder flask, used for carrying and dispensing black gunpowder, and would guess later 18th/earlier 19th century, likely Northern European though I have had a hard time finding similar examples. Finely done, with very thin walls and a hollow interior. I'm no connoisseur of powder flasks, but this is quite a special feeling object, richer in hand.
8 1/2" l measured on the square. Square end 3 1/8" w x 1 15/16" d. Opening 5/8" across. Beautiful antique condition, no visible flaws or issues at all. Stands sturdily on the flat end.
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