Floral Tin Box and Flowers

HINGED PAINTED METAL FLORAL BOX WITH SILK ARRANGEMENT - EMBOSSED SCROLLWORK, ELEPHANT RING HANDLES Decorative hinged-lid metal storage box in a cream and antique-gold finish, together with the silk floral arrangement shown displayed in it. The box is a tapered chest form standing on four cast scrolled feet, with heavily embossed acanthus and floral relief on the body and domed lid, twisted rope molding along the lid edge, scrolled corner pilasters, and a cast elephant-head ring handle on each side; the front, back and lid carry hand-painted panels of white and coral orchid-type blossoms on a soft peach and yellow ground. The lid is hinged with two metal butt hinges and opens to a plain painted interior. A retail label on the back reads "Made in China / Item # HF03748-S / $ 29.99" with three overlapping yellow and red "CLEARANCE" price stickers over it, so this is a decorator piece rather than an antique. Flaws include paint chips and losses at the lid corners, along the top edges and on the feet with dark metal showing through, scattered scratches and scuffs, a chipped and flaking area with light rust inside near the hinge, dust and debris in the bottom, and light fraying and bending on some silk petals and leaves. Sold as a lot of 2: the box and the silk arrangement. Description Form: tapered hinged-lid chest on four cast scrolled feet, domed lid, side ring handles; loose silk floral arrangement of roses, peonies, hydrangea-type clusters, buds and ivy in cream, blush, dusty rose and sage. Construction/Finish: pressed and embossed metal body, painted cream with gold-tone highlights and hand-painted floral panels, twisted rope trim, cast elephant-head ring pulls, metal butt hinges; arrangement built on wire stems with fabric and plastic foliage. Marks: back label reads "Made in China / Item # HF03748-S / $ 29.99", with clearance stickers reading in part "124 5 5", "24 0505" and "552". No maker or brand name appears, so none is claimed. Size: box approximately 11 in tall closed, approximately 13 in wide and approximately 10 to 11 in deep per the tape-measure photographs; interior opening roughly 9 to 10 in across. The arrangement is estimated at approximately 18 to 20 in wide and standing roughly 10 to 12 in above the box rim, Attribution note The form imitates a nineteenth-century embossed toleware or tin document chest, but the pressed relief, factory-applied antiqued paint, hand-painted panels over a printed-look ground, and the intact "Made in China" retail label all point to late twentieth or early twenty-first century home-decor production rather than period metalware. Reference guides on identifying antique metal and painted ware, including thepotteries.org's discussion of fantasy marks and Real Or Repro's notes on generic marks lacking a company name, make the same point about decorator reproductions: retail item numbers and country-only labeling identify modern goods. The silk arrangement is a separate florist-style piece and simply sits inside the box. All identifications are offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion and are not guaranteed. Bid on the items as pictured Notes for bidders Dust painted metal with a dry soft brush or barely damp cloth only - do not soak, scrub or use solvents, since the antiqued paint and hand-painted panels will lift. Keep the box off damp floors and out of direct sun, and do not use it as a planter without a waterproof liner, as moisture will spread the rust already starting inside. Lift by the body rather than the lid or the ring handles, and fluff silk stems by hand rather than washing them. Only the items pictured are included in this lot. Terms Sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty expressed or implied. All sales final. Please ask any questions before bidding. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping arrangements per auction terms.