This is a good quality, rare early example of an antique Roberson watercolour metal paintbox c.1840-1908. The paintbox is of solid manufacture and it has a system of fixed spring-powered bars which hold the paint pans in place. On one of these bars there is a small brass plaque with the words “By Royal Letters Patent”. Embossed on a small brass plaque are the words Roberson & Co, 99 Long Acre, London. It is made to hold 14 half pans and there are 2 thumb loops on the underside, which makes it suitable for right or left handed users. When the paintbox is closed it measures 12.5cm x 7.3cm x 2cm; fully open it measures 20.7cm. Although the box is small in size it weighs 216g. Condition: wear in keeping with age and use; external dents and marks; there are losses to the cream enamelled finish on the inside of the palette/ lid; there are no paint pans. Please look at all the photographs as they form an important part of the description. Thank you for your interest.

As the name on the plaque reads Roberson & Co, this would indicate that this paintbox was manufactured between 1840-1908; after this date the business became a limited company.