Have no idea what this is?

Can anyone help give me a clue to what this is? It has a paper tag with writing from my mom that says H.Wilson & Co, but I find nothing online even close. It is trapezoid in shape, metal and has the cover that goes over the paintings. The other side is a painting of a house and a lady fishing

 

Could you show a picture of it put together with the cover over the painting, and also the other side showing the lady fishing please? I'm having a real hard time envisioning your trapezoid shape.

 

Me too.

Debora

 

Also, please tell us what material you think the painting is on (wood, canvas, ceramic).

 

size?

 

It appears to be oil paints on some type of metal (tin, steel?). The size is about 10in x 5in x 7in tall

 

added pictures

I tried to include all details asked in the post reply above

 

The only H. Wilson & Co. I have been able to find was a pottery company in Texas in the late 19th century, which doesn't seem relevant. Is it likely to be from the US, UK, or Europe?

I am trying to think if there was originally another use for that shape/construction - like some sort of kitchen equipment - that somebody just decided to paint. Is the bottom of the tray solid, or is it hollow up into the part that is painted? If you have a magnet you can determine if it is steel - if it is it will be magnetic.

 

Hm.

In the UK, they made pavement and other lights. Prism shaped. I think you may have a prism holder which someone painted.

https://glassian.org/Prism/Wilson/index.html

Have a look at the illustration down the bottom. See the shape on the prism?

 

Would you post a close-up photograph of the figure in the boat? That might help date the decoration. And where did you find this -- US? UK?

Debora

 

It is steel (magnetic) and not hollow on the base but too light weight to be solid steel. I don't know the origin but it has been in the US for many years that we know of.
Including pictures of the base without the cover piece and the closeup of the people fishing

 

I have spent a lot of time looking and thinking about this. What an excellent mystery box it is. All of my imagined uses fall short of reason. I do think it was repurposed and has become folk art.

The only real clue that could yield a scrap of information is very deteriorated. Take a good look at the lid in sunlight at different angles to see if any of the original lithography can be seen. You may see a letter, or a word, or a image.

I tried adjusting your photo to see what's there...

Also, any clues on the inside of the lid?

James.