I was told, when I received this piece, that it contains soil from the catacombs in Rome.  It is a reliquary piece - containing a relic from the Papal City catacombs.  It is a beautiful little piece, with a screw in the bottom.  When you unscrew the piece, it is hinged, and it opens to show what is inside.  There is a TINY bit of soil, with a note underneath.  I didn't want to remove the piece of paper, because I didn't want to disturb the soil.  Visible on the note is "terra", and it probably also says "catacombs".  The piece is really lovely, inlaid with wood.  The piece is stamped Italy, and etched "Roma".  It measures 2" to the bottom of the screw, and 1" across.