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The Virtual Museum of Watercolor: Thomas Reeves & Son Artists watercolor paint box c. 1784 to 1794

 

Thomas Reeves & Son Artists watercolor paint box c. 1784 to 1794 This large boxed set of 24 water colors was made complete with palette , a water glass and brushes . The carved marble palette original to the box was used to rub the dry blocks in water to "work the colors up" The original water glass is missing. A Chinese Ink Stick, brush, pen nib, small sponge and 4 small palett dishes were discovered in the box.   Some of the original 1700's paint blocks are still in the box unused! Others are later replacements by Reeves and other makers. 8 3/4" wide, 8 1/2" deep, 2 1/2" high     William Reeves invented the watercolor block or cake as it is known in 1781, making the painting of watercolor more portable. They had honey in their recipe to make the paint re wettable.   Before this colors had to be prepared per-use by the artist or an assisting 'colorman'. The paint dried out quickly.   In 1784 William and his partner and older brother Thomas split into two businesses by their individual names.   The outside of the box shows their distinctive design from the 1700's with rope banding with ebony :   This box is similar- with the same label as a box George Washington gave to his Niece Nelly Custis now in the Mount Vernon museum.             This is the paint original to the box.           T Reeves & Son (Thomas Reeves with is son William J. Reeves) c 1784 1790 Note the shield is a oval unlike the shield below.     This is a later variation :   T . Reeves & Son With the royal warrant   ( Thomas Reeves with is son William J. Reeves) a later variation of Thomas Reeves & Son paint blocks c 1790-1799               T REEVES Trade Card in this box - with paint staining and some damage T REEVES & SON- Supererfine Color Manufacturers 80 Holborn Bridge This label dates around 1784-1794     T. Reeves '& Son' was named for his uncle William . Consequently, the younger William used W J Reeves (William James Reeves) when that branch of the family carried on the business. It is now the Reeves Co. that exists today.     The original water glass is missing. The box will accommodate a 1 7/8 diameter by 1 1/16 inch high water glass.

 

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