What size is it?

Can you show a closer shot of the letters?

No help on the inscription....but I believe it's a document carrier or sometimes called a map case.
Linda C

The little cuplike thing seems to be an obvious match. What would be its' relationship to the tube if the tube is a document carrier or map case? Are the charactors Chinese? Tea pops to mind but, of course, that could be just rediculous.

This pic should make the lettering easier to see. The tube is a little over 12" long.

BINGO!!!!

It appears to be a Hindu scroll case, used for sending invitations or announcements for events like weddings. It was also used to preserve the scroll that corresponded to a license.

Check with the closest Hindu for a translation. I don't recognize the lettering.

Thank you lazygardens. I'll get to work on it! :-)

I translated the first to letters with google it translate to US but I can not find the rest of the characters?

I have one that is very close to this with the same writings on it. let me know if you find out more about it.