This is so cute! But it is actually not an antique. August Ceramics has been making ceramic gift type items, including this style, for about 20 years only.
And I think it's a tea bag rest or holder...people would put their used tea bag in it when they were done with it when having a cup of tea. Of course, you could use it to hold rings or something else really small instead.
You could even put your spoon on it to rest while eating or drinking as well. It's not big enough as a spoon rest for cooking probably but some of the bigger ones this company makes could be used for that.
Nice auction...I'm sure someone will love getting it!