Unique sailor-made box. Made from a timber carcass of most probably Douglass pine with applied fretted panels of marine ivory and whalebone. Wonderfully designed and executed, it has a sliding lid with the design features very well resolved. Almost certainly for use as a sewing compedium on board ship and currently in use as a container for dominoes. The domino "bones" are made from whalebone.
Shows signs of use and wear and has had some repairs over the years.
Most likely North American.
 
Nineteenth century.