Sakura cray-pas, oil pastels

A box of 12 children's oil pastels from Sakura of Japan. Made from a mixture of pigment, oil, and wax. First created in 1925, these were initially available in summer and winter versions as the softness of the pastels was then very sensitive to temperature variation; until in 1928 a formula was perfected that was consistent and usable year long. Softer than a crayon, these can be mixed and blurred with fingers, overlaid, and scratched back without the colours becoming degraded and turgid. Each crayon measures approximately 10mm by 71mm.