FDA-A.104-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-A.104-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Writing Desk with Interior Paint Box and the Artist's Monogram
Title Type
Formal name
Description
William Evans's Paint Box
Comments
'Given to me by the Queen, on the occasion of the visit of the Emperor Alexander of Russia to Windsor'. William had produced four watercolours commemmorating the visit of the Emperor in June 1844. The fine outer box conceals an inner wooden paint box with 48 unused colours, and silver capped cut glass bottles with the hallmark of 1835. While Ingalton and Drake in Eton High Street almost certainly supplied William with his basic artist materials, he also used the firm of Robertson in Long Acre in 1836 and in 1837, when be bought colours in a box, and he repeated the order in 1838. After a long gap he tried colours in a tube in 1853, but was back with the firm's moist colour block in 1857. Robertson Archive, Hamilton Kerr Institute.
Description
Dimensions
width (actual size): 465mm
depth (actual size): 265mm
height (actual size): 175mm
depth (actual size): 265mm
height (actual size): 175mm
Dimension note
18in. wide
Physical description
an early Victorian brass-bound rosewood rectangular paint box engraved with the initials of the artist, including a leather-lined writing-slide, two silver and cut-glass inkwells enclosing a central section with lid, fitted with named paints, pewter chalk box containing red and white chalks, five mixing bowls, a quantity of paint-brushes, etc. and two cut-glass water dishes, various strips of isinglass, and further fitted with a secret compartment, the sides with recessed carrying-handles [silver marks rubbed but looks like little u, probably 1830s]
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of E. Whitcombe; by whom presented to Eton College
Bequeathed specifically by William to Sam.
Bequeathed specifically by William to Sam.
