This tube was made around the 1930s 
This pigment was a favourite during the 19th century. 
It is a genuinely rare paint at this age and quite beautiful. 
 
 
This was made by Winsor and Newton and these old paints by these makers in metal tubes carry a large pigment load as do Roberson and Reeves. 
 
I keep some of this for my own work as a Museum’s conservator and for my art works. 
 
This paint is quite firm but doesn’t appear to be rock hard! I have had much success with similar tubes using oil to soften it. Of course a solvent would also help. 
 
The real benefit of these old paints is that they have stood the test of time. 
They cover very many canvases in innumerable galleries.