This is a figural vesta case or match safe with a concealed opening, made from ebony by a Boer prisoner of war at one of the camps in Ceylon, & dated for 1902.

The case is in the form of a book, with the front, back, & spine having a carved & gilded decoration, the front also having the hand carved legend 'Boerkamp - Ceylon 1902'.

To open the box, you lift the edge of one end of the 'spine' which hinges the whole panel forward to reveal a compartment for matches, etc. There is no striker, but I imagine that a thin strip of glass paper (or similar) would be glued to the front edge of the 'book'.

During the Anglo Boer War (1899 - 1902), many Boer prisoners were sent to prison camps abroad & this case was made at one of the camps in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), probably at the main camp in Diyatalawa.

Condition is Fine, with no damage, repairs, or restoration. The hinged opening is Fine & there is just the expected wear to the gilding.

The case measures approx 2 3/4" long by 1 3/42 wide (approx 6.8cm x 4.6cm).