Hand Painted Metal Case—What Was it For?

Pictured is an odd little metal case, 6 x 5 inches square and only one inch deep that I'd guess dates back to the early 20th century. There is a loop at the top of it that you can slip your finger in, like you do with certain Early American candle holders. To open it you press a raised flap attached to the loop. Interestingly, it opens away from you, so the contents are visible to someone standing in front of you. Was it originally a cigarette or cigar case? Is it just a type of decorative case I've never seen before? It spent most of its life on my antique sewing machine, holding needles and assorted small sewing paraphernalia (where it still sits—I think it would feel uncomfortable anywhere else after so many decades), but its original usage is a mystery to me. The pretty Dogwood flowers have been touched up at some point in its history, as has the gold leaf edging, but probably not in the last 65-70 years. It's quite an interesting little case.