This is truly a glorious paint box and by the famous makers Winsor and Newton who were certainly one of the best makers to grace the streets of London. 
Very unusually this is an early one and I believe dates from the 1850s. The majority of these blue labelled boxes date from a fair bit later. Occasionally we come across boxes from the 1860s but these early ones are rare and prized items. 
Just as a piece of furniture this is beautiful to be around but it is of course a very sophisticated painting tool that would serve the artist as well today as it did the original owner all those very many years ago. 
The original owner was in fact a lady who apparently was quite talented. 
I know this as I know the descendants. 
They actually had it locked in a drawer for a very long time having lost the key. In fact they didn’t know what the drawer contained until they hired someone to open it. 
I think they were hoping for something else as they had little interest in this box but that was good for me!
Can you imagine getting into a long locked drawer which eventually opens and being disappointed by this! 
However we are all different not right or wrong just different. 
The box is in my opinion in outstanding condition having been left alone for so long by anyone it is in lovely condition in terms of colour etc. 
it does have a few dings etc but nothing major just marks from every day use. 
Internally it is just as nice with bright labels and very many original items. 
It has a full set of paints by the makers and their colours match the labelling on the paint tray. All of these paints will still work although it would be a shame to use them up. 
The brush tray located under the paint tray is also present as is what I believe to be an original brush that could still be used. This is marked by the makers. 
The water bowl is also the original as are both of the fully stamped ceramic palettes which are all in excellent condition. 
Even the original brass pin that locks the drawer is present which is very unusual. 
The original lock is working well and is supplied with a key of the period and although worn the original green baize is present underneath. 
Both hinges are also fine and doing just as they should do. 
So as you can see this really is a special box almost like a time traveler bringing with it all the grace and elegance of a bygone time where style and top quality workmanship were a standard requirement. I bet these people would be proud to know that their creation is about to start all over again nearly 170 years later. 
Approximately,
22.5 cm
18cm
7cm