ink well desk set

I got this from an antique shop a few months ago. There are not many imprints in the bottom to suggest age or origin. There are a few small stamps with the number 6 or 9 on the bottom of the piece. There is a glass insert in one of the side compartments. The center compartment is larger yhen the side 2 and it has perforations in the lid. I have reached out to a few individuals and there are mixed opinions of the purpose for the center compartment. The use for the center compartment ranges from everything from wax waiffer compartment, to sand caster, to incense burner. Thanks for any info you can provide on this item.