This is a rare and beautiful box by the great Rudolf Ackermann of London. Mr Ackermann came here from Germany and was a very clever and intelligent man. One of his many skills was in the design of coaches for which he held patents. So successful was he in this that he designed coaches for George Washington and Napoleon and also the funeral coach for the great Nelson.
But it was in the world of art and printing that he was to really shine.
Painting supplies must have been pursued because of the drawing schools that he ran. Indeed they would have been very useful.
In 1796 he took out a lease at 96 Strand and this is where his first school started. The initial lease was for ten years. After a while he leased another property a few doors down and it was here that his still famous Repository of arts was established. By now he had a large printing business and Artist supply company.
This particular box was supplied by him possibly in the early 1820s but it could be earlier and I suspect it is. It is as all of his boxes just gorgeous and in good condition. The label shows a bit of wear but to my mind nothing serious indeed it shows the box has lived been used and enjoyed.
It is constructed from a very nice Mahogany which is a lovely deep rich colour very similar to high quality Georgian furniture which in part is what this is. The lid is finished with an Ebony stringing around the edge and look fabulous. It would most likely have originally been owned by a young lady with rich parents. These boxes were expensive especially from a top maker as this one is.
On lifting the lid we see the aforementioned label which has a pinkish tinge to it and is normal for this maker at this time.
We then see the paint tray that contains a good set of antique paints that would almost certainly work very well. In front there is a ceramic palette which although is not marked I’m sure it is the original one.
Under this is a space and two more small ceramic mixing dishes.
To the left there are some later but welcome tubes of watercolour by Winsor and Newton which must have been left by an artist of the past.
On the opposite side there is a very elegant Water bowl.
Right at the front there is space for brushes and two not ever so good modern ones are present.
To the right of the lock is a brass pin which when lifted unlocks the lower draw. This lower drawer has the very characteristic pull handle of the early boxes by this maker. With the pin removed the draw slides out to reveal a good selection of later pans some with paint.
The lock mentioned earlier does work but please do not put much faith in them.These locks have done so much work over there two hundred years plus. I did get locked out of one once, never again, I hope! All joking aside this is a truly gorgeous and rare box that will do all you could ask of it and look fantastic in doing so.
Approx,
22.5cm
16.5cm
7.5cm
Thank you very much for your interest.