Mark Thorson wrote:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ250537511696
>
> It looks like a combination of bread box,
> bread board, and grater, for someone who
> really likes grated cheese (or something)
> on their bread. Any better guesses?

After more study, I think that's wrong.
The box appears to be for receiving the
grated material. My current theory is that
it's a portable grater, to simplify keeping
the gratings together and free of contaminants,
for example if making grated cheese for
pizza or enchiladas while away from a kitchen.

The decoration looks somewhat Mexican to me.
It might not be home-made, but perhaps made
by a local craftsman in Mexico.