THE SHELL IS IN THE VOLUTE FAMILY, PERHAPS THE OBJECT IS CEREMONIAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF POURING SOME LIBATION OR DRINKING SAME DURING CEREMONIES.
THE METAL PROTECTING THE EDGE OF THE SHELL LIP INDICATES TO ME THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE USED NOT JUST LOOKED AT. JUST A GUESS AS SUCH OBJECTS ARE IN USE IN VARIOUS CULTURES AND ARE TOO SMALL FOR A WATERING CAN.
