This is a lovely watercolour box by the very famous firm of Roberson of London and really quite rare. Roberson as you know were extremely important nearly all through the 19th century and well into the 20th. Most other suppliers of the period had accounts with Roberson. As such their products are very collectible and a very large amount of them are perfectly usable.
This particular box has all of its original 18 ceramic pans and 8 spares again by the maker. These are also ceramic.
The box is in very good condition although there is one small area of paint loss in the main palette inside the lid. The exterior of the box is really very good.
The box is very solid and perfectly usable opening and closing as it should.
It is also one of the superior types whereby the pans are held in place by spring powered bars so mostly rattle free! This also means it’s impossible to loose the bars as they are fixed to the box.
There is within the paints one that has never been opened!
The pans themselves are rare and sought after being strong and almost immortal!
With these lovely ceramic pan it is very easy to wash them out and refill them with tubed colours or of course you could make your own paint. I’ve encountered quite a few people who consider this option a daunting prospect but in truth it is surprisingly straightforward and very satisfying.
A lovely box of colours and of great quality.
In my opinion, it probably dates from around the 1950s.
Please see my other items for antique boxes, paints and artists materials.