Child's paint box in book form

This book-form box is designed with a curved spine and beveled-edge covers. The varnished exterior is undecorated except for a commercial decal of a child holding a doll on the front cover. The case and shallow interior tray are made of coniferous wood with all glued joins, and a hinged whitewood top cover. The inside of the cover has a color lithograph, with the portrait of a boy, possibly added at a later date. The removable tray reveals a lower compartment and holds twelve tablets of watercolor molded with an elephant motif, and a small round porcelain dish. The upper tray compartments are lined in green floral-patterned printed paper, while the top edges of the walls are painted black. The box is closed with a hook and eye latch in the center of the foredge. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Marijn Manuels