This is a Victorian Silver match box holder or cover, beautifully hand chased, & fully hallmarked for Birmingham 1899.

The holder is unusually small for this type of holder & was designed to hold the boxes of small wax vestas which were used around this time.

The holder is rectangular in form with the top being open, both sides having an oblong opening (to access the striker), & the bottom also having an oval 'finger hole' (to push out the matchbox tray).

The front & back have been chased with an ornate floral / foliate design, with the front having a shaped cartouche engraved with the initial 'B'.

The holder is fully hallmarked with the anchor (Birmingham), the lion passant (925 Sterling), & the date letter 'z' (1899 - 1900). Unusually, no makers mark has been struck.

Condition is fair, there is a very small & very shallow bruise to the top, the edges of the 'striker' holes are undulating, & there is a 5mm split on one corner.

The box measures approx 1 3/4" x 1 1/8" (approx 4.5cm x 3cm).