This is a wonderful slide top box by the justly celebrated Winsor and Newton.
 
It was I believe made in the 1860s and to a very high standard as one might expect from such an illustrious maker.
It is made from beautiful Mahogany that has a confident deep glowing colour.
 
Apart from a sliver of wood missing from the edge of a moulding at the location that opens it the box is in excellent condition.
Very often the mouldings that run around the edge have a piece or pieces missing but not here. It also has no cracks that I’ve been able to find and remains a very sound box.
 
Very often such boxes have problems with the lid not opening properly or closing but again not here it all works just as the day it was made.
 
I have seen a few of these over the years and sometimes they are dated but not here but the dated ones I’ve had at least give me some confidence in the date suggested above.
This is the largest one of this type from this maker that I’ve seen. Many only have 10 or maybe 12 paints but as you can see there are many more than that here.
 
More good news is that a good number of the paints are I believe the originals, in fact if you allow the two half blocks to be counted as one there are I think 10 of these Winsor and Newton paints.
Some have been damaged and put back together over time but are quite useable.
 
The remaining paints are all old vintage paints with no new ones present.
 
There is actually a comprehensive set here and it would in sure be a delight to paint with this box.
 
There are also three original paint brushes present and one of those is a Victorian Winsor and Newton brush with its stamp.
It is a beautiful box and dare I say would make a stunning present.