A stunning Antique Silver Artist’s paint box by Harry Atkin, Date Sheffield 1892.

A Rare Miniature travelling paint box in excellent condition. The silver on both the outside and the interior is in superb condition.

Upon opening, the front cascades down to reveal two wells for water and perhaps mixing colours.

The interior is well protected thanks to the interior gilding. The lid engraved “Lettice’s Paint Box”. Lettice is a traditional, English girl’s name most commonly found in the upper classes.

The actual paints are not original but the current set of paints are a later acceptable replacement. The miniature brush was with it but not original and doubt it ever had one.

Dimensions;

W 5” x D 3 1/4” H 1 1/4"

About the maker;

Atkin Brothers business traces his origin to Thomas Law, a silversmith active in Sheffield from c. 1750 to 1775. He was one of the only two firms combining the trades of cutlers and general silversmiths.

In 1824 was entered the mark of Jos. Law, Jn Oxley & Henry Atkin (oddly the mark was "LL", possibly for Law & Law) and in 1829 Henry Atkin and John Oxley, trading as Atkin, Oxley & Co, succeeded to the original firm. They dissolved their partnership c. 1840.

Henry Atkin continued the trade as Henry Atkin & Co at 32 Howard Street, Sheffield.

He died in 1853, and his sons Harry Wright Atkin, Edward Thomas Atkin and Frank Shaw Atkin continued the trade under the style Atkin Brothers in their Truro Works, Matilda Street, Sheffield.

The firm opened offices in London, managed by Harry Wright Atkin, and in 1925 became a limited liability company as Atkin Brothers (Silversmiths) Ltd.