Tunbridge Ware Small Square Trinket Box with Perspective Cube Pattern c 1890

Description

Heading : Tunbridge Ware – Small Square Trinket Box with Perspective Cube pattern c 1890
Date : c 1890
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells; likely from the manufactory of Thomas Barton
Decoration : Two-piece box with a lift-off lid; decoration to the top-face only; finely executed perspective cubes within one banded and one continuous keyline; to the remainder – rosewood veneer over a light boxwood.
Size : 6.4 cm x 6.3cm x 3.0cm
Condition : Excellent; no missing tesserae; incised text to the underside ‘Tunbridge Wells 1898’
Restoration : None
Weight :  32 grams

Notes: this is very reminiscent of pieces made by T G Green in Rye. Sussex in the early 20th century. but the inclusion of a green oak inlay to the perspective cube pattern points towards Thomas Barton back in Tunbridge Wells; there are other pieces to similar dimensions (though different designs) which are widely attributed to the turn of the 19th century and. of course. the inscription on the base backs that up. though – of course – that could have been added at any point during the life of the box. Barton ceased production in 1903. and any point during the 1890’s seems to cover all the bases.