Heading : Tunbridge Ware - A Pillow Topped And Waisted Glove Box - Eton College - c1860
Date : c1860
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells, England - Henry Hollamby
Decoration : Pillow top with a central broad-grained panel containing a mosaic of Eton College; this is surrounded by banded and continuous keyline stringing; to the perimeter of the lid there is a six-square geometric border; the four edges of the box have a wide Berlin wool-work flora frieze of oak leaves and acorns, with the usual banded and continuous borders; base lined with red paper; edge veneers throughout; internally, the box is relined with marbled paper
Size : 25.0 cm long x 9.6 cm deep x 8.3 cm high
Condition : Very good; there are some superficial bumps and bruises, and some very fine separations within the mosaic; there are allso a very few tile losses throughout; closes well, but the key is absent and the rather plain escutcheon has some scratches' 
Restoration : re-lined as above
Weight :  362 grams

Notes : This is another example of Hollamby's work which bears a label identifying the building, as there is one to the base which asserts 'ETON COLLEGE FROM THE THAMES'. If further proof of provenance were needed, the 'oak and acorn' frieze is also typical Hollamby, who was also favoured the waisted profile on his products. We have dated this a little earlier than the other labelled (Battle Abbey Cloisters) box, as everything about it is a little less refined.