Something graphite perhaps

[justmike]

I found this item in an attic of a house which is more than 100 years old. I haven't a clue as to what it is. It's seems to be made of some light weight graphite or carbon stuff. It has a screw and nut on the top which leads me to believe it may be electrical in nature. My first thought was a battery of some type. It is 5-1/2" tall. The main body is 3-1/8" dia. it's about 1/2 thick. The hole through the top is 3/4" dia. I have never seen anything like it. Hoping someone here may have.

Thanks,
justmike