Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy Depicting Hever Castle c1870

Description

Heading : A Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy with Mixing Bowl – Hever Castle
Date : c1870
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells
Decoration : Has a floral frieze to three sides around the centre of the body. which has a concave. waisted profile; the hinged lid features a six-square geometric pattern band. again around three sides and within pairs of plain and banded keyline stringing ; the lid – curving across both axes from a central origin – has an oak leaf frieze bounded with matching borders. surrounding a classic Tunbridge Ware image of Hever Castle. The lids of both internal compartments plain with small turned handles. Internally. the two compartments flank a central. round red-velvet lined well which accommodates a glass mixing bowl; a circular mother of pearl escutcheon to the keyhole. with a working lock and key.
Size : 14.5 cm high – 30.6  wide – 14.1 cm deep 
Condition : Very good indeed with regard to tile completeness – with just one or two individual losses; very slight bumps and bruises to the edges on corners. entirely commensurate with age; there are no signs of stress-cracks on the curved faces and everything is robust and solid; the only real flaws are to the insides of the two compartments. which have lost much of their original lead/foil lining
Restoration : Professionally cleaned and polished
Weight : 1759g

Notes : Pieces of this style are generally attributed to Henry Hollamby – this one in particular because of the general form and the use of one of his ubiquitous topographical mosaics. That said. the oak-leaf banding does suggest that Thomas Barton may have had a hand. but it lacks his signature green oak inclusions; we have not carried out our own research to verify this to date. but will be pleased to do so if you wish to have confirmation or otherwise prior to purchase.

All told. this is a substantial piece in very good condition which would be an excellent acquistion.