During the last quarter of the 19th century Winsor Newton had in my opinion one of their great ideas. 
 
I have a few reasons for recommending this this little pen painting box to you, so here goes! On the surface of it it’s just substituting the artists brush for a pen, read here dip pen. 
 
However looking under the surface what has been found here is on the one hand oil painting, or at least a type made easier, as most of us can handle a pen. But on the other those with an open and inventive mind will see that there is here the opportunity at least in modern terms the possibilities of a new kind of painting. 
 
Anyone who has ever drawn in pen and ink will be aware of many of the marks and textures that can be made here. As to whether or not anyone has ever taken this seriously I cannot say but I will say that it is worth thinking about. 
 
Even the most sceptical will allow I’m sure the possibility of using such a set for drawing out a composition and for coloured drawings. These may also help with a type of grisaille,etc type approach. The other reason I have for offering this set is that it’s just such a nice one!
 
The outer paint on the box is really quite good and internally it’s not too dirty. It has a more original paints than it started with and it’s original palette. It has both of its original bottles also still with there powder mediums. 
 
The only thing missing I think is a pen!
However I’ll gladly provide a contemporary one for the new owner. 
My final reason for offering it is that I believe it is an usually early one. I love early items!
 
The internal brass label is definitely the kind of label often found on early boxes sometimes as far back as the 1860s
It is not an exceptionally rare item but in this condition it is certainly not common. 
 
A very interesting and lovely box. 
Approx 20 x 14 x 3 cm