This is a truly exceptional early paint box by the justly famous Winsor Newton. It was made at a time when in 1841 the makers were granted a Royal warrant by Queen Victoria that they still hold today.
It was quite an impressive feat for them as their business commenced only six years previously, this obviously points to truly wonderful products of which this box is one.
It was at this time that the first Ceramic pans were introduced. This enabled actual moist water colours to be purchased and very conveniently carried, the pan itself containing the paint now with its additional ingredients. This of course leads us on an unbroken line to today.
Now by bit the older but much cheaper paint in blocks known as cakes were to all but disappear. They were and are beautiful but they at least in the early days were much more difficult to work with.
I’m sure the paints here will work just as they always did. I’ve yet to encounter any that don’t.
This box is also exceptional in that it is a large version with many full Ceramic pans and also because of its condition. When One thinks that this is around 180 years old perhaps you can see what I mean.
I think it also exceptional because of its original condition.
You are seeing no new paint here no tidy ups or changes.
Also everything on it works as well as the day it was made. All the retaining clips that hold the pans are present and work perfectly.
The hinges are strong and again work perfectly. It opens and closes just great.
Of course over all of the human generations it’s lived through not to mention the upheavals that civilisation has faced in all this time it’s picked up a few knocks and scratches. Indeed I’d be suspicious if it hadn’t but as you can see the condition is great.
The ultimate testament to all of this wonderful workmanship and care in this box is that you the artist could start working with it as though it was made yesterday, and it will with care last all of your life.
There aren’t too many things in life like that!
In my view it’s a wonderfully romantic thing also, the box is a part of the essence of continuity, a direct link indeed an empathic link with all the other artists that have worked with it in its long past.
It has with it as can be seen a great set of Ceramic pans and I see no reason to suspect that they are not it’s original ones.
All are Ceramic and all are made by Winsor Newton. Two have a chip but it will not impede their use.
The really great thing about these types of pans is that when the paint is used up it is a simple matter to wash them out in cold water whilst wearing gloves of course!
Then refill them with any colour of your choice from your preferred brand of tube paints.
Very simple very flexible and very convenient.
This is as said a very beautiful rare and useful box absolutely steeped in history by a very famous maker.