Your thoughts please

Hi, I bought this cheroot holder in an online auction recently, described as 18ct gold mounted. On receiving it I am sure it says H & E 18 G P - so presume it's gold plated.
I can't find any British makers H & E, so can't research it further. Appears to be made of a greenish colour horn. Would love to hear what your thoughts are. Thanks

 

My old book (Wyler's Book of Old Silver) says Hetherington & Edwards in Newcastle, marked their silverplate H&E at some point in the early 19th century, but doesn't say until when. Also, there were some Hughes and Francis in Dublin by the middle of the century (again, doesn't say untill when) who marked their plate H&F. May not be it, but I think yours actually might read H&F.