Fascinating! This is a brass snuff/tobacco box dated 1787, which I found in Maine but I believe is Swedish, made by a C. Norman and titled EN BESTANDIG ALMANACH / RUNSTAVEN FÖRSVENSKAD (Permanent Almanac / Runic calendar.). Each side portrays half the year, month by month, together completing the year, with very densely packed rows of letters, numbers and symbols marking the days (letters A-G correspond to the seven days of the week), numbers mixed in representing specific dates, and symbols or runes marking solstices, equinoxes, celebrations, etc. I sure love an early brass snuff box, and anything that requires decoding--and the symbols interspersed here are pure delight, from keys to forks, scissors to sleds, animals, vegetables, crosses and more. So cool, and the sort of thing one could really dig into if deciphering is one's thing! There were others of these made--I've found one auctioned through Christie's for example, and a couple of others. This type of 18th century brass box, used for snuff or tobacco, is typically referred to as Iserlohn box, most commonly produced in Germany and the Netherlands.
4 7/8" x 2 3/8" x 3/4". More worn the top facing side, as makes sense, as it would have been opened from the top, and was clearly well used. Overall good condition, with a great patina, and hinges in excellent shape. Opens easily and closes tightly.
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