AT AUCTION Victorian Tunbridge Ware Wooden Mosaic Veneer Box

Antiques : Box : Wood

 

Tunbridge Ware is synonymous with boxes and other small wooden items made in the area of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge in Kent. In the late 1820s a small mosaic technique was developed that became popular by the 1830s and continued to the end of the nineteenth century. The technique was to bundle thin sticks of wood of different colors to create a pattern. This block was sliced to make veneers repeating the same pattern, which were then glued to the surface of the item. The end result looked as though it was decorated with inlaid tesserae.

This box is a fine example of the art. The box measures 7" long x 4" deep x 1.75" tall. The base wood is dark and resembles walnut. The top and 4 sides of the box are all decorated with a veneer of wood mosaic. Each individual tessera is approximately 1mm in size.

As an added feature this box has a secret locking mechanism that operates by sliding the top diamond shape backwards slightly to open, and forwards to lock closed. Unfortunately someone in the past was unaware of how this operated and they forced the latch. Thus the latch no longer engages properly inside the box.

Condition: Other than the non latching lock, there is some loss to the tesserae veneer on all 4 corners of the base of the box. There is also some veneer loss along the bottom edge of the box on all 4 sides. From the underside of the box it appears that there has been a repair along one edge and towards one corner.

The mind boggling craftsmanship that went into creating this delicately veneered box make it possible to overlook the defects it has acquired over time. This is an amazing example of a lost art.

Item ID: Btbw308

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