This stunning watercolour painting box was made by the illustrious firm of George Rowney & Co approximately between 1850 and 1860. 
As such it is a part of the era and movement where there was a concerted effort to return to a time of better and more wholesome set of values that were typically seen in mediaeval  times and whose movement is usually called the Gothic Revival. 
To a cynical world as ours this can seem perhaps a little silly but in my view it is not. There is no fault in seeking to improve the world especially when witnessing the sinister antics of modern governments!
The movement produced some very wonderful ideas and people who created some sublime architecture at the very least. However the Gothic has long been popular and still very much is. 
The paintings of David Casper Freidrich are wonderful and literally Gothic by nature in many ways and emphasise how the Gothic permeates all through life then and now and perhaps the concepts flexibility will ensure that the world of the Gothic will always be with us. 
Although labelled as an illuminating and Missal painting box it is of course perfectly usable as a standard watercolour box, one which though is quite different and most rare. In fact in forty years of collecting this is the only example I have seen. 
This box made from a beautiful Mahogany wood for its construction is in very nice condition for its age. It has had a life however with bumps etc and a few old repairs which are not to my eye very obvious and do add even more character to an already characterful item. There is a tiny bit of warping to the lid but is not at all bad and the top closes properly down. 
The hinges are also working and very good. 
Visually the boxes crowning glory is its label which is complete and in exceptional condition. Its colours as can be seen remain rich and bright. 
The box from a working standpoint is very flexible in that its remaining colours are in powder form that is still readily available today. With colours in this form it is very easy to add a little white to enable them to be used as Gouache so really it’s a comprehensive box of watercolours but also Gouache paints!
The paints are in their own little jars each with a makers label and all of the jars are present with a label on top also. 
There are many other colours in jars that are I’m sure more recent in manufacture and though additional paints to the original set are in my view most welcome. These additional paints appear to be lacquer based and look dried out but I suspect that with a little alcohol would come to life again. 
The box also has its ten little round ceramic palettes which although the glaze is a little crazed are fully functional. There is also a large ceramic palette underneath these small ones making this a very well equipped box. 
There is also a key present which though I doubt is the original it is old and operates the original lock very well. 
This box is a lovely thing to have around and which is sturdy enough to set it back to work immediately if that is your desire.