Really cool antique Victorian Vesta dating from about 1870 -80 designed as an elephant's head from silver plated brass, with celluloid tusks and painted enamel eyes.
A vesta case is a small, portable, often ornate metal box designed to store early, volatile "strike-anywhere" matches (wax vestas) and keep them dry. Popular from the 1830s to the early 20th century, they were carried in pockets or on chains to prevent accidental ignition and usually featured a ribbed striker surface on the bottom.
 
weighs - 30.5g
measures - 50mm x 30mm approx and about 22mm deep
English circa 1880
Condition - some wear to the silver layer and a couple of dings