This is a rare, antique match box (vesta) from 1890-1910s India, exquisitely hand-carved with a floral pattern in the famous style of Indian Raj Kutch silverwork. It resembles a small medieval book with a secret, invisible lid. A surprisingly heavy and solid silver piece, it does not look like any other matchbox safe - Instead of the typical Victorian or Edwardian rounded shape, it has a very modern shape of straight lines and a flat bottom, so that you can put the box on a table rather than simply carry it. These boxes are rare art gallery pieces.