Can anyone help identify this item?

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Another item that was given to me...am I lucky or what??? ;)

It's some type of hinged box of some type of animal, and I believe it's made out of brass. I could be wrong about that, since I know absolutely nothing about these types of items. This is a whole new learning experience for me!

If anyone knows what this is, where it came from and what it's worth, your knowledge would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks, and have a wonderful day!