This is delightful, not just because it is, and it really is, but because of the story with it, so do read on!
This is a great antique metal work box which (and you'll understand in the story below) dates from around 1938 with the original green paint. It measures 28cms (15") long at its longest, 20ms (8") wide and 11cms (4.25") at its highest point.
It comes with four small antique French terracotta pots. These mini ones are very hard to find these days and a real collectors item. The pots measure approximately 7cms (2.75") each.
This would look fabulous in a rustic or farmhouse decorating scheme with the pots filled with herbs or mini plants.
But now the story ... I was on one of my buying trips at an old farmhouse buying crockery, and they had some lovely things! The couple were in their 80's, I think he was 90, elderly but with smiling eyes, wearing a beret which looked as old as he was and with a weatherbeaten face that told a story of a life well lived outdoors.
On the bench next to the front door was this metal workbox and I just fell in love with the green. I asked about it, if it was for sale and he told me he had had it since he was a little boy, always carried his tools around in it. Surely he wouldn't want to part with it I said, but no, he and his wife were moving to be with their daughter and grandchildren in Spain and did not want to take anything more than their clothes. I offered him a rather too generous price, because I didn't want to take advantage and I wanted him to know how I appreciated him telling me a little about it and I promised I'd share its history with you. I have cleaned it gently, but left the rust and everything else just as it is.
Sometimes its nice to buy something so genuine!