This is a very rare tin: I have searched for more details on this - but simply cannot find another one like it with this more unusual design or intricate shape.
It dates to around 1890s and is a Victorian advertising tin - made for J & J Colman / Mustard Manufacturers to the Queen.
For its age it is in pretty good antique condition - it has no dents or rust - and the lid is hinged - which is secure - and the shaped inner lid section is still present. All the images are still relatively nice and bright - and although there are a few wee scratches here and there - it is not very disfigured.
This would be a special item for the collector of antique Victorian tins and packaging items.
I have taken lots of images for your inspection so that you can assess the condition and all the different images and themes on this tin.
It is priced to take into account its rarity, desirability, and nice condition.
It was probably made as a souvenir item for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. There is a scene entitled Opening of the Imperial Insitute, 10th May 1893,
The Imperial Institute was opened by Queen Victoria. It was a museum and exhibition center dedicated to the history of the British Empire and was located in the South Kensington district. The building was designed in a Gothic style by the architect T.E. Colcutt. The design on the tin was probably adapted from fine watercolour studies by John Charlton and these are now in the Royal Collection Trust. So a rather unusual image to decorate a large mustard tin with.
The lid features a very regal image of Queen Victoria in her Coronation Robes. Interestingly also copied from an oil painting by Alfred Edward Chalon (1780 - 1860). On another side is an image from Victoria's Coronation based on the painting by Sir George Hayter.
The two shorter sides have images of advances in transportation that have taken place over Victoria's reign: one with wooden ships at the top and a dreadnought battleship, below (an indication of the building up of the British fleet in the naval race with Germany occurring just before WWI). On the other is a view of Stephenson's Rocket - and below a modern steam train.
The corners are decorated with emblems from the Royal Standard - and there are decorative bands of crowns etc - all these have been photographed for you.
Dimensions: length is 21.5 cm; the height is 14 cm and the depth is 14.5 cm
This is tin could now probably be classified as a museum class object - there are similar antique tins in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The price is very fair as there are probably hardly any other examples of this mustard advertising tin surviving.
It would be for posting in the UK only. It will be sent Special Next Day Delivery so that it fully insured in transit.