This rectangular, lidded tin box was produced with one purpose in mind. 
Originally painted a verdant red with gold and black highlights, this box would have been clearly different from the tin lunch pails common in this period.  
You can see on the front a latch through which a small metal pin would have been inserted to keep the box closed when carried. We are lucky to have the original metal handle on top, beautifully intact over 100 years after it was originally fashioned.   
The fetching hand painted sentiment on the front says it all – ‘For me and thee.’ 
Picnics such as this were called Tet-e-Tet’s and were all the rage at the turn of the century.  You have no doubt heard of ‘tea gardens’ or ‘pleasure gardens’ – elegant public places to meet the object of your desire.
Within this small tin box would have been the most succulent of foods in small portions to be shared by 2 people.  The intimacy of the meal would be enhanced by the preparation, choice of luxurious ingredients and, of course, the intended positive response from the person across the table.  
This box belonged my dear friend Elizabeth who lived on Tradd Street.  She was in her 80s when I was born and using this box seemed normal to her. I love that I own it now as my treasured friendship with her lives on each time I lift the lid, something that now seems normal to me. 
Small linen napkins, half size silver utensils known as ‘campaign silver’ and a small casque of wine with the dainty meal made for memorable moments.
No doubt any number of things could be on the menu for a meal of this nature.
Some more reliable ones would be suitable for a woman in a corset and a man in layers of dress.  Heavy foods would not be the best choices for obvious reasons.
A few that come to mind are meringues, sugared almonds, nickel sized cheese biscuits, quail paste, small pieces of fresh fruit or whole small berries. Served with wine or claret would be pleasurable indeed. 
This recipe from Elizabeth is her Charleston Cheese Cookies. It is perfect for small cheese biscuits for this Victorian box or a more modern cocktail party or dalliance. 
This recipe makes 60
1 stick of Irish, salted butter
1 cup of the best sharp cheddar you can find.
  Finely grate it at home yourself. 
  It makes all the difference.
2 cups of self-rising flour
1 tsp black pepper
Melt butter. Grate cheese into warn butter so it fully incorporates. Add pepper. Knead in flour to a smooth dough.
Working quickly, roll 60 small, even balls of dough.  Place as many as you can on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Using the bottom of a glass, press them flat until they are the size of a nickel.  Press them all as they will become too hard to deal with if you wait. 
Bake at 350° about 5 minutes.  
They freeze well.  Just double bag them as no one likes the taste of freezer burn.
You can use them with a savory filling such as quail paste or enjoy as they are. 
These are perfect for my picnic box but also for cocktail parties, tea parties, as gifts or just to have in a jar when hunger strikes. 
May I suggest you share them soon with someone you love? They are sure to make them feel special and cared for.