Early Wheatley japanned metal, four hinged Isinglass covers over 12 compartments. Box measures 5 x 3.5 inches Richard Wheatley started making these around 1890 replacing the leather covered card boxes. They are made from tin plate, finished with black japanned exterior and white enamel interior. Earliest boxes have no markings, made by outworkers and assembled in Wheatley's factory. By 1906 Wheatley's had registered the Wheatley Lozenge which was embossed on left hand side xylonite plate." This box has no markings, which helps to confirm it's circa 1900.