This is a late Victorian / early Edwardian, Scottish Mauchline Ware box in the Photographic Ware finish, with an interior advertising label for BROOK'S SEWING COTTONS, and dating to around the turn of the 20th Century, c1897 - 1900.

The box is square in form with an extended lip & base and is constructed using 'tongue and lap' joints, with two hinges to the rear (the hinges are the less common, non decorative hinges, where only the interlocking joints are visible from the outside).

The top of the box has a sepia photographic transfer of 'BLACKPOOL FROM NORTH PIER' & shows the Tower (1894) & the original Ferris Wheel (completed in 1896). The base is covered in a blue / grey paper.

There are around 3 spots of loss to the transfer - please see photos.

The box is opened via a decorative catch to the front, to reveal the interior which is lined in a patterned paper with a 'Brooks' label to the lid. The label has an illustration of the Brook's cotton mills (in Meltham, West Yorkshire) & reads 'BROOK'S SEWING COTTONS - MELTHAM MILLS'.

Condition is fairly good, the 'thumb press' part of the catch is missing (which tends to be the norm on Victorian Mauchline boxes), there is a small piece of the lining paper missing, around 10 tiny worm holes (very old), & general, but very light, age related wear - good for it's 110 years.

The box measures approx 5 1/2" square & 2 5/8" deep (approx 14cm & 6.7cm).