hand painted religious icon wood box

hi everyone

found this little 3" wood box today (£2)

front looks to be hand painted

cant decide if its old or meant to look that way (smells old and musty)

unsure

any thoughts appreciated

 

tother side

 

Are you sure it isn't a print on paper glued to the front?

 

not 100% positive, but definitely looks painted up close with a loupe. looks painted on the same substance the bobbly bits are

but there is something questionable about it

 

The box would be Italian. This one looks like it has been knocking around for a bit, but they are antiqued to start with. Does look like an Annunciation scene.

 

closer you can see the paint marks

what is that its painted on....chewing gum ?

 

i bet your right n all, the arch on the top probably continued all round

probably an old litho type card held in place by the gum

 

spot on again, thanks inh

i'm pretty sure its not hand painted now, as you suggested probably a litho card or alike

 

when you see colour applied in a print like that you are talking chromolithography - so a chromolithograph decoupaged onto a wood/gesso work foundation.

 

Howz about that for answer

Nice one blooey