Tunbridge Ware – An Early Sewing Box with Intricate Inlaid Marquetry c1840

Description

Heading : Tunbridge Ware – An Early Sewing Box with Intricate Inlaid Marquetry 
Date : 1835-1845
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells; England
Decoration : Hinged rectangular box with low canted sides to the lid; to the central panel a diamond-shaped panel of isometric cubes with a narrow geometric patterned border; the four sides of the lid have a wider geometric border; to three of the four angled sided of the base – a broad band featuring rhomboid blocks of geometric patterns. set within triangles of palmyra veneer – an unusual and distinctive design; each element also has a banded keyline stringing border; to the reverse. a band of more traditional van Dyke triangles; the body sits on four wooden bun feet; internally. the inside of the lid has a magenta rouched lining. and a wooden frame of geometric mosaic; there is a lift-out tray with numerous compartments for needle books. thimbles. reels. a pin cushion with a utensil-band and two small sections with their own lift-off lids; the tray sits on ledged supports over the main void; all the elements of the interior are lined with magenta paper; to the base – what seems to be a ‘sticky backed plastic’ has been applied; working lock with key present.

Size : 26.7 cm x  21.7 cm x 14.2 cm
Condition : Excellent; all the tiles are present and in good order other than a section of the geometric border around the isometric cubes; these have clearly come away from the lid at some point and been re-applied; otherwise. one or two isolated losses to small tesserae and some superficial bumps and bruises; the isometric cubs to the lid are very slightly warped. but still firmly in place; internally – a little tired. but not unreasonably so; the frame to the inside of the lid is worn but intact and actually looks rather incongruous. were it not for the fact that we have seen several similar boxes with the same feature
Restoration : minor repairs and base-lining as above
Weight : 1439 grams

Notes : The most unusual feature of this box is the broad band of rhomboid panels set with alternating palmyra around the body. which we’ve never seen used to such an extent. The remainder of the mosaics. which feature a number of different. exceptionally finely-grained tesserae. are very much of Burrows family vintage; we have seen the distinctive extended diamonds on an unattributed book-rest in Margaret Gill’s Tunbridge Ware booklet (page 15). and then again – in fragmentary form – on page 86 of Mr Brian Austen’s authoritative Tunbridge Ware And Related European Decorated Woodwares – where. we are pleased to say. they are noted as being “probably from Humphrey Burrow’s manufactory”.