Opaline Biscuit Barrel

[ghopper1924]

Hi all:

I purchased this today at an estate sale in Missouri. It measures about 5 " wide and 10" tall at the bale. I believe it is opaline glass, painted with a scene of a girl picking lemons from a tree and a younger boy eating them. The kids seem to be dressed in folk costume (Italian?). The painting is done by hand.

The bottom has a polished pontil, and is unsigned. The top is very decorative and sports a strawberry finial with leaves. The metal may be nickel or silver plate, or a combination thereof; the bale can be shined with silver polish but the top of the lid cannot. The number "16" appears in the silver on the underside of the lid.

So: Ideas on value, country of origin, and year?

[ghopper1924]

P.S.: the bale has stylized acanthus leaves with a small urn on top. No "thorns."

I'm leaning toward France ca. 1870. Replacement value?

[Ipcress]

Anything on the cover interior or handle ?

[ghopper1924]

Unfortunately, no writing on the handle at all. "16" appears in the silver under the lid. No other inscriptions anywhere.