This is an early matchbox holder or cover, made of cloisonne enamel on brass & most probably of Chinese origin, & dating to around the 1st quarter of the 20th century.

The holder, finished in bright yellow with a pink, green, & blue floral / foliate design, is rectangular in form with the top being open, both sides having a scalloped opening (to access the striker), & the bottom also having a scalloped 'finger hole' (to push out the matchbox tray).

The holder has been enamelled on all sides & has a 'bumpy' feel to it. On close inspection, the cloisonne work has been crudely done & a lot of the foliate swirls have actually been hand painted on.

Condition is fairly good given it's age, the box is structurally sound but there is a small loss of enamel on one edge, & the other edges have some small chips - please see magnified photos.

The holder measures approx 1 3/4" x 3/4" x 3/4" (approx 4.4cm x 1.9cm x 1.9cm).