WOOD PURSE?

This (wood purse) is made for a solid piece of wood. No seams or pieces. All hardware on it was hand made. It has no nails or anything in it. Has a small door on the top and the inside is cover in some sort of tar or black stuff. All hardware is made out of iron. Can you please help me? I would love to know what this is and what it was used for. Thank you.