Artist's Paint Box

Status

Not on view

Datec. 1790-1797

Maker Thomas Reeves & Son, London

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniqueBox: wood (mahogany and inlay), brass, paper Contents: watercolor paint cakes, ivory, ceramic, glass, seashell, coral

DimensionsOther: 3 1/8 in. x 14 3/8 in. x 10 7/16 in. (7.94 cm x 36.51 cm x 26.51 cm)

Credit LineGift: Jess and Grace Pavey Fund, 2013

Object numberW-5326/A-U

DescriptionInlaid mahogany watercolor paint box with drawer. The lid has a barber pole band of light and dark inlay around the outer edge; central inlaid shell on the lid; mitered corners, and two brass hinges. The front has a keyhole with replaced ivory; drawer with two brass fan-shaped pulls. The drawer opens to reveal storage space. The interior of the lid has a large paper engraved with allegorical figures, heraldic beasts, and the inscription: "T. REEVES & SON, / Superfine Colour Manufacturers / TO HER / Majesty, the Prince of Wales, and Royal Family. / Their Drawing - Academies, Military & Naval. / No. 80. Holborn Bridge LONDON. / Where Artists may be supplied with the Original Water-Colours in CAKES, / in Compleate Sets WARRANTED. / Oil Colours, & every ARTICLE in DRAWING, Wholesale Retail & for exportation."

The interior of the box contains 40 rectangular compartments, shaped by wooden dividers; all but three of these compartments hold blocks (or portions of) watercolor cakes, for a total of 37 different colors. The box also contains various accoutrements, including: an ivory painter's palette, rectangular ivory brush or stipple holder; rectangular ceramic block for holding brushes and mixing paint; shallow white ceramic and glass bowls for mixing paint; metal stippler; small shell and piece of coral; metal key and drawer lock or pin; tint box; paint brushes; and Orphan Asylum engraving.

The blocks of paint currently in the box include examples, with different states of use, from at least three different suppliers: Ackermann's of London, James Newman's of London, and Osbourne's of Philadelphia. Of those whose names can be discerned, the Ackermann blocks include: Lamp Black, Gamboge, Brown Pink, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Light Red, Indigo, Sap Green, Prussian Blue, Van Dyke Brown, Burnt Umber, Saturnine Red, and Antwerp Blue. The Newman's blocks include: Carmine, Sepia, Crimson Lake, Chrome Yellow, Prussian Blue, Chrome Yellow No.1, Chrome Yellow No. 2, Ultramarine, Gallstone, Cobalt Blue, and Neutral Tint. The Osbourne's blocks include two blocks of Crimson Lake.

Mount Vernon's object research is ongoing and information about this object is subject to change. For information on image use and reproductions, click here.