Do you recognise this mystery object?

Can any KAS member identify this mystery object? Discovered in the bottom of a box of bric-a-brac from a charity shop, it has already been sent to Maidstone Museum and the British Museum, but to no avail. The object is metal, bronze or brass, weighs 10oz/112gm and is 3.5inch/90mm long. Which language do the 12 external characters which surround the compass belong to? Is the compass a later addition to the object? The burnt mass within the bowl is slightly sticky. Although the stem is hollow, there is no exit hole at the end furthest from the bowl. The puzzled owner would love to know its origins and use. Please contact the Editor at the usual address, email or telephone number.