Italian Tole Hand Painted Wood Floral Looseleaf Binder - Mustard Yellow & Olive Green

May I offer this hand painted Italian tole loose leaf binder - YES, a binder to hold notes, correspondence, what have you. First the outside probably dating to the 1950s or so. The wood piece is covered in a layer of gesso (that's the white you see peeking out from the design) and then handpainted with oils. To seal the piece, a layer of varnish
was placed once the oil paints had dried. With luck, over time, the varnish took on a darker coloring giving it the "look" that is so coveted by collectors. Second, the interior - this part of the piece probably dates to the 1960s. The inside binder has 3 metal rings and is covered in a stunning wine colored brocade and features 2 pockets - one on either side. The spine of the binder appears to be a thin leather or faux leather which has been embellished with metal studs. Let the pictures do the talking!

CONDITION: With all things old, and the delicate nature of gesso, the piece not only has a patina to the varnish but a bit of chippiness adding to the shabby chic-ness look. The entire look is pure beauty! There is one small tear in the leather on the spine edge (pictured). It's not a big tear and it does blend in well with the piece so you might not be able to spot it at first.

HALLMARKS: None that I could spot.

SIZE: The binder is 12" high x 9-1/2" wide. Inside depth is about 2-1/4".

FINAL COMMENTS: Use as it was meant (hold your favorite recipes - photos - love letters) or just use as a background display to a collection of other tole pieces. It's just a fabulous find - I mean, when was the last time YOU saw a tole covered binder?