Tole Painted Folk Art Bail Handle Bucket with Decorated Tree

Happy Holidays! This next gathering is more along the traditional side of holiday decorating and will certainly create unique charm to your home. The tin canister or bail handle bucket is offered with a decorated tree housed inside and can be set out immediately for all to enjoy!

This tole-ware canister is from the mid to late 19th century. However it was repainted in “1953” by “Kim Cowen” as shown on the bottom. The canister is ornamented with representations of a foliate and glorious crimson red pomegranate design set against a black ground that wraps around the entire piece. Kim chose a traditional bold and classic comma stroke approach that can be seen in the pomegranates as well as meandering freely throughout the rest of the design. The lid exhibits a series of this pattern in triplicate but is separated by individual lone crimson dots. There is a wee bit of rust on the top portion of the lid that resembles a thin line as shown.  The raised edge near the end of the lid closure was also not forgotten as the crimson red paint choice lends even further importance to this area.

Image 20 & 21 show a spot that incurred paint loss but overall the condition is very good. A small white paint drip can also be seen near the bottom of the bucket as referenced in image 19. The inside including the lid is painted with a gentle berry red color. There are some areas of surface rust on the inside bottom location as shown in image 22. This piece is free of dents and holes. The bail handle is intact and in very good condition.

Accent ornaments include faux apples, pearl onions, dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, chenille candy canes and beechnut pods from our beech tree. The tree can be placed inside the bucket as the lower branches will balance out the weight.…...with gentle coaxing. Of course, this tree does light up by way of a plug in cord and will cast a soft glow to any corner of your home…… perhaps near a kitchen window so you can enjoy it while baking delicious cookies! Enjoy!

Overall height is 24” and overall depth (bottom of tree) is approximately 12 ½” across. Bucket stands 8” tall and measures 5” across the top and bottom.