What's This Pivoated Snail Shell Ink Well?

[macquid]

Hi all

 

Despite searching the web again and again over the past several years I haven't managed to find a comparable ink well or information about how old it might be.

 

Any body recognize it, can tell me a bit about it... and especially how old it might be?

 

For information:

 

It's made of Iron (magnet is attracted to it), with applied gold damascene decorations. But these decorations although similar to Toledo work are more primitive and sparser than what one generally finds from Toledo. The decorations include several Maltese crosses as well as te remains of rounded geometrical patterns.

 

It's obviously meant for travel and the rear foot is hinged to allow folding it down. Equally the snail shell ink pot swivels up to (more-or-less seal) the ink inside.

 

Thanks