Well it’s almost all the paint boxes I’m offering at the moment here got together and made a baby one!
But seriously this is a tiny but perfectly formed gorgeous watercolour paint box from about 1890 by the justly famous Winsor and Newton.
You will notice that it has the little spring clips to hold the pans still, an innovation that the makers received a patent for in 1885. It was and is a great idea in my opinion.
All of the clips are present so this lovely little thing can do exactly what it was made for and has done ever since. It must have been a delight to use for all those previous owners and I’m sure it would be for you too.
Those previous owners have of course left marks from use but apart from a little dent to the top and a bit of paint loss, as must be expected in something so old, the condition is in my opinion very nice.
It functions perfectly with good hinges so it opens and closes very well.
This box has as far as I can tell it’s original pans. They are definitely Winsor and Newton ceramic pans and I’m sure are contemporary with the box. Most still have paint and I believe they are non poisonous I cannot guarantee that however as with all paints they should of course be treated with respect.
The colours here are in fact wisely chosen in my opinion. There are two Blues one Red one Yellow a Green ie Terre Vert and an Earth colour although that could be another Blue!
It’s not easy to tell for sure without wetting them. Having said that I’m confident that the paints would still work.
Of course with just a few colours and using the white of the paper the majority of the colours found in nature can be mixed. I’m sure that that was the intention here.
There were many boxes made with just three colours and sometimes four for the same reason.
However with these ceramic pans you could have you own choice of colours. Just wash out the pans and refill with either tube paint or you could make your own as I do. It’s fun and addictive!
I love these tiny boxes especially these very robust ones as they’re just so personal. I feel we can get closer to the flow of creativity that all those earlier owners navigated as do we. Somehow the past and become one in our joint passion as we share those wonderful aspects of humanity together.
Mix with this all those romantic Steam Train trips and the beautiful unspoilt countryside of Victorian England that this little box probably traveled whilst huddled in a ladies bag or gentleman’s jacket pocket and we have not just a box that holds paint but something more.
Perhaps a bit overly romantic but I’m afraid that’s me!
Even if just taken for what it is right now it’s still gorgeous.
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£276.00Price
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