Our antique red and black painted toleware box with domed lid, circa late 19th century, is hand decorated with coastal scenes and botanical accents in the Pennsylvania Dutch style. That it once apparently took a chain lock could indicate that it was originally used as a tea caddy or a document box. The term “toleware” comes from the French, tole peinte, meaning “painted sheet metal.” Manufactured typically of tin either commercially or by home crafters, these items were particularly popular in Europe and the American colonies in the 18th and 19th centuries. Most American toleware was typically used for everyday domestic purposes, many of them kitchen-related forms. Because of its widespread prevalence, folk artists in various regions enhanced their designs in personal ways, developing highly individualistic decorative motifs such as those on our example. Condition: Excellent. Dimensions: 7" x 6" x 4.5".