Originally Posted by great aunt jacqui
it looks like an old inkwell, we used o have in our scool desks. maybe the cabinet was a combo sewing and desk? Also the recessed part on the left would be for pens or quills. It maybe an add on because the woods seem different. Just grabbing at ideas.lol
My thought too an ink well. But then I thought usualy you do see those with ink stains on it.