Boy or girl?

[Christianmpoulsen]

Unless he is wearing fancy dress, then I am sure that this is a girl - the bonnet. 

No idea about the box.

Yes, the bonnet did it for me, and the necklace!

[Christianmpoulsen]

It's never easy to ascertain whether it's a boy or girl, but I think it could be a boy. Girls had a centre parting and boys had a side parting. The item could be a family photo album.
Take a look here:

http://www.vastpublicindifference.com/2009/08/boy-or-girl-public-service-announcement.html

Carol

Thanks Carol, that’s really helpful

[Christianmpoulsen]

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/03/20/breeching-boys/?safari=1

Thank you

[Christianmpoulsen]

Could the box be a book?

It could be couldn’t it. Is there some writing on the cover? My x3 great grandfather was called Darius, could it say that sideways?

[Christianmpoulsen]

..

Yes, I didn’t know this was the case around that time!

[Christianmpoulsen]

Could the box be a book?

My thoughts too. Maybe a bible?

It could be. I’m now wondering if there is lettering on the front spelling his name, ‘Darius’ what do you think?

[Crumblie]

The box could be either a musical box or a jewellery box.

[Roobarb]

If it's a book I don't think there's any lettering on it. The focus of the painting is presumably the child, any obvious words on the book would divert the focus.