Most of the wood or bone cases for needles or bodkins that I have seen are more or less cylindrical, and somewhat smaller than this, but I’m not quite sure what else this very lovely turned wooden case would have been made to hold? I really love the tiered form of it, and especially the shape of the lid, which fits very snuggly onto the vessel and holds quite tightly in place. The hardwood looks to me like lignum vitae and is truly gorgeous. 

5 7/8” t x 1 1/2” in diameter and in very good antique condition. Turned on its top it stands up beautifully.