Antique St Paul's Cathedral Paint Box 1840s Whitewood Tunbridge Ware

This fabulous small artist’s watercolour box was produced in England during the 19th century, circa 1837 to 1840. The box opens via its original mechanism to reveal the inner compartment; the box is complete with its original liners, ceramic pallette and three smaller paint holders/mixing bowls.

The white wood watercolour box features its original manufacturers label to the inside of the lid that reads ‘Patronized by Her Majesty’s Loyal Subjects, London Made, Superfine Water Colours’ above a royal crest reading ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ and ‘Dieu et mon droit.’

The box features a fabulous engraving to the lid depicting St Paul's Cathedral as seen from Ludgate Hill. The scene was drawn by the British draughtsman and watercolourist George ‘Sidney’ Shepherd (b 1784 – d 1862). The print was engraved by Samuel Lacey (b 1786 – d 1859). This vibrant London street scene is so wonderfully detailed. with St Paul's cathedral in the background.

This is a delightful item, perfect for an artist or anyone has a passion for art history!

Measuring: Width 6 ½ inch (16.5 cm) by height 1 3/8 inch (3.5 cm). Depth 4 7/8 inch (12.5 cm).

Condition: Usage surface wear to the varnish on the lid (after all, this is a travelling set and would have been used outdoors in all winds and weather). Some old watercolour paint marks to interior. Hinges work fine but are probably not original, minor wobble to them, lid aligns with locking mechanism but there is a slight visual overhang from lid to body of box.

Item id: TA14108