Lid and base are likely of ebony with calamander wood sides. Lid with carved lion heads and foliate decoration around a central armorial crest and the motto: Mihi Gravato Deus, translated "Let God lay the burden on me." Signed, HRILL P.O. WAR, H. WASSMAN, DIYATALAWA, 1901. Interior of lid with carved bust in a laurel. Diyatalawa was a British garrison town in Sri Lanka that was also used as a concentration camp for Boer prisoners during the Second Boer War. Retains original lock and key. There were two H. Wassman's listed in Boer records. Dimensions: 5 1/2 inches tall X 11 1/4 wide X 7 5/8 inches deep;13.97 cm tall X 28.57 cm wide X 19.36 cm deep. All measurements are approximate. Condition: Key and lock worn but works with jiggling. Provenance: From a private Pennsylvanian collection.