Brass? Mixed metal? trinket box China

Hi Everyone
I picked this up today. Trying to determine metal, age, and use. (Asking a lot )
The design is the same on all 4 sides.
I found one similar even though they mean export, not expert
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EARLY-20c-...ELIEF-CIGARETTE-BOX-CASE-BRONZE-/302206892788

They say cigarette case?
All input appreciated.
Thank you for looking.

 

Wouldnt that be hard to get a ciggie out of ? I think its just a tea or trinket box myself. Id also soak it in some warm soapy water and use a toothbrush to get all that brasso off,that drives me crazy ! Id guess 1920sor so.

 

Thanks, Johnny
I agree not likely cigarettes. Yes, I plan to clean it up. All that white gunk!

 

Could very well be a cigarette box for table use. Cigs would stand on end and not packed in so tightly that you can not get them out. When I see those Block letters CHINA, I think post-war through the 50s. Some have said that it was used even a bit earlier. Likely brass.

 

Thanks Brad,
I was thinking the decoration on top ( the floral part might be a different metal)

 

These things are brass, way to check for cigarette box is take a cigarette paper and see if it fits. (cigs from the time were standard length - excepting "Joysticks" that is )

Non-tipped Cigarette length is normally 2-5/8" to 2-3/4"

 

Just right then! oh - oh, misread that ...not long enough???? Any more room in the lid?

 

So ciggies then?

 

Fair enough, I guess it could have multiple uses. Thanks, Blooey.

 

This ones on eBay described as a 20th c tea caddy. 3and 1/8 inches high which seems similar size to yours. Sorry can’t paste the link only the picture.

 

Thank you, Houseful. It does seem to be multi-use.
I just liked it for some reason. Soaking it now.

 

Yes well eBay sellers descriptions are often not quite on the mark and to be honest, that's a bit tiny for a tea caddy in the 20thc, maybe ok in the 18th when tea pots and cups (bowls) were the size of doll's tea sets ..anyway ..I digress .. here you go:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51764518@N02/8396291070

 

Thanks Blooey!
I’m missing a lot in that case!

 

I've seen that block CHINA mark on early 20th export stuff, including jewellery and cloisonne work.

 

It's on my cloisonne box,written just like that xx

 

Mine too!