This beautiful box was around 1840 to 1850.
Although it does not show a label it is by the great makers Reeves of London.
 
The makers name features on the beautiful palette sometimes called a mixing tray. The name also occurs on some of the paints and on the small selection of ceramic pans found under the platform that supports the palette.
 
As a point of interest it is quite common to come across a seemingly absent label. This is often because these boxes and other supplies were sold by other artist material shops that didn’t want the illustrious name of let’s say Reeves being advertised in there own windows. There were many such shops who sold such things then as now.
 
The sellers were of course able to stipulate no label but of course everyone wanted the quality that these items oozed!
This box is no different of course it of great quality but not at all garish.
 
The box has a full set of paints and as said a few are by Reeves.
These paints being consumables were often used and replaced by others thus we often find paints by various makers.
All of these paints I’m sure will work very well. In the lower drawer there is a modern porcelain palette which does fit very well and is a nice and very practical addition.
 
There is also a key which operates the original lock though I urge caution in using it. These old locks have done much work and are sometimes not ever so trust worthy. I once got locked out of a box for an extended period and it was awful!
 
The box is made from a beautiful and well grained Mahogany and the top has no cracks. In fact this is a lovely strong box and if required can be be put back to work immediately. If treated sensitively it will out live us all!
 
If you want a really good box by one of the great makers at a very reasonable price this might be the one. If it did have a big showy label it would be much more expensive. I doubt if a showy label ever made an artist greater.
 
Approx 22 x 19 x 7.5 cm