Tunbridge Ware – A Lockable Glove or Trinket Box with Butterfly Mosaic c1845

Description

Heading : Tunbridge Ware – A Lockable Glove or Trinket Box with Butterfly and Geometric Mosaic Inlays 
Date : c1845
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells; England
Decoration : A rectangular box; the flat lid features a central butterfly image set in to a golden satinwood reserve. flanked on both sides by small. rectangular geometric patterns; the lid is bordered by a seven-square geometric band within banded and continuous keyline stringing; to the four flat sides of the body. a fifteen square geometric band (and extended version of the design in the rectangles on the lid) within banded keyline stringing; lined to the inside with replacement paper. and to the base with original paper; working lock and key
Size : 20.7 cm long x 8.1 cm deep x 6.4 cm high
Condition : Excellent; no tile loss; some old restoration to a small sliver lost from one bottom corner; a few minor dents and bumps entirely commensurate with age
Restoration : Reinstated corner as above. and two small holes in the base lining paper which have been patched with a newer. similar material – and the new internal lining.
Weight :  312 grams

Note :  Although this box is unlabelled it can be attributed to the workshop of Edmund Nye as the base lining paper (marbled blue with diagonal bands) is common to several pieces which bear his name. and the fifteen-square geometric pattern also appears on another box of his which features a simplified image of Southfield Park Lodge.