This is an antique Japanese Sumi Tsubo which is a traditional Japanese carpenter's ink pot from late Meiji period (1890's-1910's).
Sumi Tsubo is used to mark straight lines just like chalk line. Silk string line is wound on a wheel and passes through a bowl (Tsubo). As the line is drawn through it picks up ink. The line can be drawn out and snapped onto a surface leaving a fine line.
It is carved beatuifully in full details, collectable piece.
W 8.5 " x D 11 " x 3 "