Are real objects more intuitive than plain UI elements in VR?

I´m analysing various VR apps and I found Tvori, and I love how it handles the different actions that can be done, because instead of using interface elements such as icons or buttons, it uses real objects, such as cameras, brushes, light bulbs, spotlights, and I'm pretty much convinced that how the actions are represented makes their use more intuitive, since the gestures that are made to use them are natural, and also, the behavior that they have can be intuited by the operation of these objects in the real world, which makes it more intuitive. For example, if I want to insert an ambient light, i would choose a lightbulb and I can turn it on and off, or I can choose a pencil to draw from the tip, and erase with the bottom part.

As I say, I am practically convinced that using real objects is more intuitive, but I do not find research about this aspect of the user experience and I would be happy to confirm whether or not I am right.

I wanted to ask if someone knew any source that could deal with this topic in order to go deeper. Maybe the source does not prevent from VR but from other paradigms. Also, if you have any opinion about this topic it will be well received.

Thank you so much in advance!