Featured Japanese lacquered case, purpose?

I bought this Japanese Meiji period inro shaped case ages ago, thinking it was for glasses. Now that I am trying to describe my 'stuff' I'm not so sure, because I can only find hinged glasses cases.
It is rather delicate, made of stained horn I think, and shows different lacquer techniques.
Does anyone know what it was used for? It is not an inro, because there is no way to attach it to anything.

Thank you for looking.

 

Cigarettes?

Pretty!

 

Different origin, but here is an example of a similarly shaped glasses case made of cardboard: https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/559229179/antique-round-glasses-silver-frame

 

Thanks!

Thank you, inh, you're right about them copying. If cigars, they would be small cigarillos I think. The listing also says flamingoes.....
I was hoping mine wasn't tortoiseshell, in case I ever want to sell it, and trying to convince myself it must be horn. I'm still not sure, the spots aren't layered like they usually are with tortoiseshell.

Thanks, Barn, I thought it was a Japanese take on something like that. It was also listed as a spectacle case when I got it. It is small, but so were glasses back in the day.

 

The scalloped opening on this eBay cigar case looks very similar to yours, the size given isn’t clear though as they have given the same dimensions for height and width. Could yours be for hair pins or something similar, bodkins?
~

 

Are you taking inventory?

I don't have anything useful to add, but this is beautiful.

 

Could be, although Japanese hairpins are pretty long. Bodkins maybe.

So did I. Now we know.

Yes I am, sort of. There will probably come a time when I won't know what things are, or when my nieces will have to get rid of my 'stuff'. I would like them to know that some things are worth taking to an auction, or selling on ebay etc.
Otherwise Davey will get a lot of nice freebies. If he comes over to the Netherlands for a house clearance, that is.

 

No idea. It's lovely though. I think it's for whatever fits in it .
Agree they would be very small glasses unless that is a giant lighter?!

 

Yes, it is a giant lighter I keep especially for photographs.
No, seriously, regular size.

 

NOT A CLUE! but, I don't think glasses, to small.

 

"definitely cigarettes, definitely tortoise shell" she says quietly to herself

i love it!!

 

"I agree" her friend says in a whispering voice

 

Very softly: Thank you, thank you both.
Cigarettes makes sense, and tortoise shell..... I love it, but if I want to sell....
Ah well, another one for the official appraiser's list so I can get one more cites exemption.

 

Don't let it give you ideas about making your quietus!

It's actually longer than needed to hold some folding reading glasses I have. Folding lorgnette?

 

The shape looks like a Match stick holder to me. Were match stick holders a thing in Japan

 

I think I found it. At least some people seem to think it's a needle case.

http://www.lamidesarts.fr/1880-JAPANESE-LACQUER-ON-TORTOISE-SHELL

 

Match Safe sounds right to me, it's the right size for 1 thing

 

Pocket matches were small. 1 1/2" x 1" little box. Also there is not striker.