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Tunbridgeware
Tunbridgeware or Tunbridge ware are terms that are used very generally within auction catalogues, and that reflects the difficulty in being too specific when defining the product. There are numerous good reference books on the subject, and it is hoped that this site will present a good cross section of what was made within the period from the late C18th to the early C20th. You are asked to note the additional nominal charge for despatch of boxes.
Single Compartment Tunbridgeware Tea CaddyA single compartment tea caddy in rosewood with Tunbrdigeware decoration. The top is perspective cube pattern within a geometric border, and the sides are another geometric border on the lid to the acorn banding in the centre. Inside, the original paper i...(more details)
£495.00
Pin Wheel TableA circular pin wheel in the form of a table, set above a baluster support on a turned base. This rosewood item is in excellent condition, with a beautiful tesserae pattern to the top. These are quite hard to find and are a wonderful addition to any needle...(more details)
£295.00
Tunbridgeware Stamp BoxA beautiful example of a Tunbridgeware stamp box with the head of Queen Victoria detailed in tesserae to the top surface. It came in a number of forms according to the age of the Queen. Here, she is seen quite young which will place it nearer the start of...(more details)
£325.00
Tunbridgeware BlotterA beautiful Tunbridgeware blotter of exceptional quality as the pictures show. The handle is of rosewood and the base is in mahogany. The top design is a five dot geometric border, inside being a rose floral design. To one side is the impressed mark of th...(more details)
£395.00
Tesserae Bird BoxA beautiful rosewood Tunbridgeware box of small dimensions with a tesserae picture of a bird on foliage. The background is light, contrasting well with the foreground picture. It is framed within a dash border and is in wonderful condition. Tunbridgeware ...(more details)
£395.00
Tunbridgeware Yo-YoTunbridgeware Yo-Yos are very unusual. I would expect that use has meant damage and loss. This example is extremely small as can be seen from the dimensions below. The two halves are held together with a screw thread to gain access to the hole that retain...(more details)
£220.00
Tunbridgeware Thread CrossA very pretty Tunbridgeware thread cross, a favourite with sewing collectors and Tunbridgeware enthusiasts. They are so delicate it is hard to see how they survived inside the rough and tumble of a sewing box! This example has a tesserae pattern to both s...(more details)
£165.00
"Needles" BoxA very pretty little box with the tesserae title “NEEDLES” on the top. The tesserae decoration continues around the side of the box too. Dated to about C1856, it is one of a number of similarly produced boxes of about the same d...(more details)
£195.00
Burr Walnut Glove BoxA burr walnut Tunbridgeware glove box of waisted form. This delightful example of Tunbridgeware is of interest due to the abstract geometrical patterns combined with the stylised butterfly beautifully presented within the chequered border. A similar examp...(more details)
£395.00
"Matches" BoxA very pretty little box with the tesserae title “Matches” on the top. The tesserae decoration continues around the side of the box too. Dated to about C1856, it is one of a number of similarly produced boxes of about the same d...(more details)
£195.00
"Pins" BoxA very pretty little box with the tesserae title “PINS” on the top. The tesserae decoration continues around the side of the box too. Dated to about C1856, it is one of a number of similarly produced boxes of about the same dime...(more details)
£195.00
Needlecase with Butterfly MotifThis is a wonderful needlecase with the two designs of a butterfly and roses on either side of the piece. The tesserae pattern of the butterfly can be found in "Tunbridgeware & Related European Decorative Woodware" by Austen...(more details)
£245.00
Ink Bottle ContainerAn unusual item in Tunbridgeware is this ink bottle container. As can be seen in the pictures the container is rosewood with a ribbed turned body. The screw cap has a simple geometric tesserae pattern to it. Inside is the original glass ink bottle which f...(more details)
£185.00
Rouge Pot with Glass LinerA beautiful example of the stickware method of production was used on the top of this rosewood pot. Inside the screw top is a glass liner - the original - that would have probably contained rouge. A lovely example of this giftware that is but one of the r...(more details)
£95.00
Kettle Pin CushionA very pretty kettle shaped pin cushion using the stickware process. It is a variant from the other on the site which has both a pin cushion and holes for pins to the side - this one being just a pin cushion. It has the original cover to the cushion which...(more details)
£325.00
Quarter Bobbin Moulded Glove BoxAn unusual Tunbridgeware rectangular glove box with quarter bobbin moulding, the lid having a mosaic panel of flowers within a geometric border. The base has a floral mosaic panel to each face. The escutcheon is a good example of the stickware process. In...(more details)
£395.00
BookmarkA very decorative bookmark in rosewood with tesserae chain decoration on the top piece, and lozenge pattern to the main shaft. It is on rosewood. The condition is outstanding. Date: C1870. A very pretty addition to a collection that includes desk items....(more details)
£195.00
Thread WaxerA lovely double ended thread waxer (with wax), the ends decorated in matching pattern stickware in wonderful condition. Date: C1880. The base wood is rosewood. Slightly unusual shape to the expected turnery ware in its simplicity....(more details)
£95.00
Muckcross Abbey WorkboxA lovely Tunbridgeware workbox with cushion lid decorated with a view of Muckross Abbey, Ireland. The wood is burr maple treated with chalybeate water, and similar can be seen in Plate 37 of the reference below. Indications are that it is associated with ...(more details)
£695.00
Circular Pin CushionThis circular pin cushion is an excellent example of the turned stickware in Tunbridgeware. It is of relatively large size with a beautifully ribbed side bringing out the assets of the process. The top is velvet, and the base is plain but shows the detail...(more details)
£85.00
Tunbridgeware Sliding BookendsA magnificent set of Tunbridgeware sliding bookends with Battle Abbey gatehouse at one end (“Tunbridgeware” by B Austen, plate 22) and a pair of stags at the other (“Tunbridgeware” by B Austen, page 106, plate 45). The Battle Abbey...(more details)
£875.00
Thermometer StandA Tunbridgeware Cleopatra's needle thermometer, profusely decorated on all sides with rosewood being the base wood. The thermometer is backed by an ivory panel. A decorative desk item which has a use too! Probably dated to 1870-1880....(more details)
£365.00
Kettle Shaped Pin CushionThese popular little pin cushions and pin wheels are so easily damaged it is a surprise any survive. In the picture you can see the holes for the pins in the side of the piece as well as in the more expected cushion to the top. The loop handle is a metal ...(more details)
£320.00
Circular Spill BoxThis is a very early example of Tunbridgeware which can be mistaken for Mauchlinware because of the picture and the applied decoration. The top is screwed to the base and has a coloured picture of Brighton applied to it. There is an image applied to the i...(more details)
£135.00
Triangular Cribbage BoardA Tunbridgeware triangular cribbage board in mahogany, raised on bun feet, with central flower motif, in tesselated mosaic. An unusual piece beautifully executed in rosewood. There is the slightest shrinkage that crosses the pattern design which cann...(more details)
£425.00
Goblet shaped PincushionA lovely stickware Goblet shaped pincushion. This type of work was produced with lovely attention to detail and is a delightful shape....(more details)
£95.00
Desk CabinetA Tunbridgeware desk cabinet in rosewood with the image of Muckcross Abbey to the shaped top. The double doors are decorated with floral designs and boast a working lock and key. Inside reveals four drawers with turned handles. The use of the Muckcross bl...(more details)
£1,425.00
Square BoxA very pretty little box in rosewood with tesserae roses pattern to the top on a light background, inside a geometric border. The remainder of the box is plain. The top lifts out on a centrally located turned button. Inside is a plain wood finis...(more details)
£185.00
Ring TreeA delightful little ring tree in rosewood. These often have a series of small branches coming off the main trunk, but this version is simple with trunk only. It exhibits a lovely mosaic on the base and the whole is finished with a set of three bun feet su...(more details)
£245.00
Waxer and Pin cushionA combination sewing item being a waxer in the middle and a pin cushion to the top. This is Tunbridgeware stickware. It displays a lovely pattern and is a useful addition to any sewing or Tunbridgeware collection....(more details)
£95.00
Tape MeasureA pretty little tape measure with a tesserae top around the rosewood winder and above the rosewood body which is ribbed half way up. The tape is original which is why the start of it is very delicate and somewhat holey! Ideal for filling that gap in the T...(more details)
£135.00
Tunbridgeware Sliding BookendsMahogany sliding bookends with arched ends in Tunbridgeware. Both ends display the perspective cube pattern within stringing surround. A useful desk item for reference books and a beautiful example of the Tunbridgeware art. An early piece, probably dated...(more details)
£320.00
Small early DesksetThis is a desk set comprising a matching opener or page turner and circular stamp box. The simplicity of the design indicates quite an early piece preceding mosaic ware....(more details)
£135.00
