Oversize Oval Artist’s Wooden Palette with Historic Paint Surface, c. Early–Mid 20th Century
20" x 14"
Oval wooden artist’s palette with thumbhole and forefinger cutout, retaining a richly worked paint surface in layered oils. One face shows dense accretions in greens, ochres, and reds; the reverse bears thinner smears and mixing swaths. Edges show honest studio wear. A faint hand-inscribed “MAURICE” appears near the grip (not attributed).
This type of large, ergonomic palette became standard in European studios by the late 19th century and remained common through the mid‑20th, prized for its light, thin board and ample mixing area. Surviving examples with intact paint strata are collected today as documentary objects of studio practice.
Artists typically kept one “working” palette for months or years, letting layers of oil paint polymerize between sessions. The resulting surface preserves a record of habitual color choices and mixing habits—blues and greens at the periphery for cool mixes, earths and whites near the center for flesh and light. Large palettes like this were favored for plein‑air and atelier work because they balanced easily at the wrist while offering maximum mixing real estate.
Style
Display on a small easel, hang from the thumbhole as wall art, or lean on a shelf with vintage brushes and a paint box. Its painterly surface reads as abstract art and pairs well with studio, library, or creative office vignettes.
