Stone Piece with Birds and Monkey

My dad kept this on a shelf in his room since I was a child...so I know it is old!!
Been on my shelf for decades.

2 1/4 " H feels like stone...but is also slightly translucent.
Size of a toothpick holder...is it?
on sides..2 birds and one monkey.

Any ideas on origin, material, age ??

TIA janette

 

Kind of hard to see from the lighting.
I suspect soapstone.

 

If it was your dad's, could it have been passed down?
I would guess 1930s at the oldest, good chance it could be earlier.

 

I have the exact same one. I got it from a secret santa along with a gorgeous calligraphy set .

 

I took the liberty of lightening the scan, maybe this helps?

 

It looks like a cutie toothpick holder.

 

Thanks Marie - Much better.
I still think it is soapstone.

 

Dad was born in 1914..and I am sure he got it from a relative's estate. (he was always in charge of that..only male relative among so many old ladies)..he never bought anything decorative..

 

Ah so there is a good chance it was part of the late 1800s imports.