Paint Boxes

An antique tole, tin lithograph book box biscuit tin by Huntley and Palmers, 1901, Reading, England. The biscuit tin is offset litho printed and embossed with Art Nouveau style decoration, in the form of eight books with simulated tooled leather bindings and beautiful marbled end papers, bound by a strap. The tab on the top lifts up to pull up the lid with a hidden hinge at the back. The books are: History of England, Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan, Burns, Pickwick Papers by Dickens, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, Self Help, and Shakespeare. Huntley & Palmers is a British company of biscuit makers originally based in Reading, Berkshire. Formed by Joseph Huntley in 1822, the company became one of the world's first global brands and ran what was once the world’s largest biscuit factory. The biscuits were sold in elaborately decorated biscuit tins. An example of this tin can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England. Dimensions: 6.25ʺw × 4.75ʺd × 6ʺh Condition: Good. This is a particularly nice example of a 123 year old tin item. The marbling effect remains beautifully intact and crisp. The embossed front and sides show only minor signs of paint loss and the metal is undamaged. Historical Context: The British biscuit tin came about when the Licensed Grocer's Act of 1861 allowed groceries to be individually packaged and sold. Coinciding with the removal of the duty on paper for printed labels. It was only a short step to the idea of printing directly on to tinplate. This development is first credited to Owen Jones who was a consultant designer to the stationary printers, Thomas de la Rue. He designed the first biscuit tin, transfer-printed and issued in 1868 for the firm of Huntley & Palmers. Other firms were quick to respond and a whole new industry was born. The new process of offset lithography, patented in 1877 allowed multicoloured designs to be printed on to exotically shaped tins. The most exotic designs were produced in the early years of this century, just prior to the First World War. In the 1920s and 1930s, costs had risen substantially and the design of biscuit tins tended to be more conservative, with the exception of the tins targeted at the Christmas market and intended to appeal primarily to children. The designs, generally speaking are a barometer of popular interests. The advent of the Second World War stopped all production of decorative tin ware...

Beautiful antique hand painted Indian Mughal wedding / dowry / marriage box / keepsake storage chest / casket featuring hinged lid with polychrome painted figural and floral panel mo...

A large early 20th century Chinese lacquered box with gilt and polychrome decoration having warriors and flowers. This highly decorative box is large and easily used, it would be i...

Fine and striking pair of English Regency Chinoiserie tole tea cannisters. Lovely red and gold colors with original chinoiserie decoration. Cannisters are in an octagonal shape and b...

Vintage Black Lacquer Chinese Oriental Figural Pyramid Pagoda jewelry box. Item features a black lacquer finish, gold gilt details, felt lined interior,...

Antique Tramp Art Pink 4 drawer wood 2 Tier Pyramid Jewelry Presentation Box. Item features distress painted pink finish, velvet lined interior, 4 draw...

Antique wooden shoe shine box or step stool painted in pale yellow gloss.  

ABOUT An original leather wrapped copper round humidor. Hand painted ship image on the side. Middle section unscrews. CREATOR Rumidor, New York. ...

Art Nouveau Box, Painted maple, Switzerland circa 1900-10 Maple solid wood with geometrical paintings. Restored and shellac hand-polished. Stamped at the bottom "DW" (German wo...

Chinese jewelry armoire, chest or dresser featuring hand painted detail of pagodas, landscapes, birds, and florals with brass banded accents and butterfly pulls...

Antique Victorian toleware metal coal bin or heartherware hod with lid, painted floral motif in black with yellow and pink roses, accented with gilded feet, handles, and rear hook fo...

Early 20th century large Limoges porcelain covered vanity Box. Valny Limoges Chateau De Tuileries with interior floral & exterior scenes design details. The covered vanity box is in ...