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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Any Jewelry, post: 4508786, member: 2844&quot;]Beautiful box.</p><p>About the box itself: Blank boxes were and are usually made in the Black Forest region of Germany, and exported to other countries. It was an important source of income, the famous Black Forest carvings of animals were not made in the Black Forest but in Brienz in Switzerland.</p><p>In the past the boxes were generally used to store small articles of clothing, and also by travelling salesmen to hold small items. Nowadays they are still made and mainly used for home decor.</p><p><br /></p><p>The colour and the way the roses are painted are all typical of South Tyrole, formerly Austro-Hungarian empire, presently northern Italy.</p><p>The costume also looks northern Italian to me, possibly Sarntal or thereabouts. It isn&#039;t French.</p><p>She looks like she is on her way to do a spot of gardening, but the flowers she is holding and the rake, are all symbolic of love and marriage. She herself is the garden, if you get my drift. Not a symbolism we would use today.</p><p><br /></p><p>Datewise I would guess ca 1900, but I find it difficult to date because it is in such good order. Most boxes were used daily and show it.</p><p>Also the quality of painting is very good, which would suggest a more recent date. As I said, I find dating it difficult.</p><p><br /></p><p>BTW, neither Austria, Italy nor France were ever under British rule, so it can&#039;t be Victorian. (Just saying.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie75" alt=":playful:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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