Is this a card case? What age is it?

Hello all, hope you're having a good weekend! I won a few things at auction recently (from various provinces in Canada) so I will be posting several items on the forums for some help . This box was described as Art Nouveau, cold painted. Do you think it is that old? Is is a table top playing card case? Any info you can provide would be much appreciated. Measures 4"H x 2.9"L x 1.6"W. Thank you!

 

Do you think the metals spelter (pot metal),bronze,copper ? If you scrape a tiny hidden part of the finish is the fresh exposed metal brass,steely grey,a duller green brown bronze ? Any markings at all ? I wouldn't call it Nouveau-more of a Venetian Renaissance vibe-but most likely not made during the High Renaissance (late 15th to early 16th Centuries)...but then again,who knows-could be quite old or a Grand Tour souvenir,even 1920's to sit in some new Gatsby classic revival villa (Spanish,Italain,French Revival architecture).
Neat find.

 

Hi there! No markings that I can see. I am completely useless at figuring out metals. I had assumed brass but really have no clue. Seems to be more greyish under the gold color from what I can see of the wear under the lid? It is quite heavy but not extremely. Thanks for the info

 

Is the greyish metal hard like steel/iron,or does it give a tad like pewter/spelter ?

 

The metal is definitely hard, not on the softer side at all.

 

Does look to be plated spelter/pot metal. A playing card case is a reasonable use if the size is right.

 

verybrad- Any opinion on age ?

 

Hard to say. 50s? Material and construction is a lot like boxes out of Japan post-war.