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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.
Facetted Tape MeasureThis pretty tape would, in all likelihood, have been made as a stand alone piece rather than for a box fitting, due to its elaborate and decorated finish. The base wood is rosewood, and the original tape is marked in nails (1 nail=2 1/4&quo...(more details)
£145.00
A Tunbridgeware Picture FrameThis delightful Tunbridgeware picture frame is in original condition, and now has some glass to complete the frame. The mitres are tight, and the pattern has a chequered inner, rose pattern, two chequers devided by a single inlay, and then a larger cheque...(more details)
£185.00
Set of Nesting Lidded CylindersThis set of nested lidded cylinders exhibits the largest with a radiating star motif and standing at 1 1/2" high. It contains eleven graduated cylinders with lids also decorated, but with radiating circular pattern which is painted. The smalle...(more details)
£320.00
Tangram Puzzle boxThis delicate little box has a lovely geometric pattern to the top with a dot border to the edge. It has a rosewood edge and the undecorated sides are of mahogany. Inside is the familiar tangram puzzle. These items are always attractive and this example i...(more details)
£145.00
Watch Stand by NyeA pretty watchstand by Edmund Nye. There is a paper label to the base of the largest "Edmund Nye, Manufacturer, Mount Ephraim & Parade, Tunbridge Wells." The label is represented in the Austen "Tunbridgeware" reference on page 153,...(more details)
£185.00
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)
£225.00
Tunbridgeware Netting BoxA beautiful rosewood weighted netting box, the lid having a central tesserae design of a butterfly, whilst to either side are stickware circles. The border is of geometric design. On all sides is vertical patterning, with a shield shaped key escutcheon. I...(more details)
£495.00
Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon"Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon", one of the less common images produced by the Tunbridge manufactories, and this block was produced by Hollamby in 1875 (see Austen "Tunbridgeware" page 245), and maybe passed to Boy...(more details)
£475.00
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)
£145.00
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)
£280.00
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)
£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)
£170.00
Caddy SpoonA beautiful caddy spoon made in the "stickware" or "inlaid turnery" fashion. This particular example displays extensive decoration throughout the piece, and an identical item can be seen on page 85 "Tunbridgeware" by B Austen...(more details)
£335.00
Tunbridgeware Skein HolderThis beautiful skein holder is attributed to Thomas Barton (1819-1903). The rectangular box is decorated to one side with a geometric repeating pattern, and the other with tesserae of leaf. It contains a sliding skein holder. It is in immaculate condition...(more details)
£325.00
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
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. Neat little boxes with the name of the item in tesserae can be attributed to TL Green in th...(more details)
£165.00
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. Neat little boxes with the name of the item in tesserae can be attributed to TL Green in the ...(more details)
£165.00
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. Neat little boxes with the name of the item in tesserae can be attributed to TL Green in t...(more details)
£165.00
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)
£225.00
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
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
Rosewood Domed BoxA domed topped rosewood box of rectangular form, the top decorated with flower pattern tesserae within a geometric border. Although the domed finish was popular with items such as glove boxes and tea caddies, the smaller trinket boxes were more often flat...(more details)
£155.00
Tunbridgeware Counters in PotA rosewood circular counter container with ribbed side, within being four stickware counters. The pattern to the outside is a radiating star motif, and although tempting to attribute it to Barton, it was a design that was used extensively by most manufact...(more details)
£165.00
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)
£425.00
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)
£65.00
Book Carrier or Book TrayThis rare item has an attribution to Thomas Barton and Edmond Nye. It is a desk tray of rectangular form with canted corners and raised sides. There are twin carrying handles and the tray is decorated with geometric patterns throughout. Borders are of the...(more details)
£475.00
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)
£265.00
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
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)
£525.00
Well decorated Card CaseThis excellent example of the card case format exhibits a tesserae border of reverse coloured woods to each side, ensuring the piece is reassembled correctly after opening. It is quite a distinctive design and not very dissimilar to that shown in the Aust...(more details)
£0.00
Unusual Desk SealThis unusual desk item has a small turning of Tunbridgeware to the top which was the excuse needed to buy it! It is mounted on a bone shaft, and is adorned at the business end with the seal. This can be clearly seen in the pictures and says: "Whilst ...(more details)
£175.00
Leaf shaped Book MarkThis unusually shaped bookmark, modelled as a leaf with tumbling block decoration, is unusual in itself, but is also interesting due to the ash base wood, often used at the back of the panels on the larger pieces. The smaller pieces are usually made ...(more details)
£115.00
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)
£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)
£165.00
Tunbridgeware Q Victoria Stamp BoxA lovely Tunbridgeware stamp box with the head of Queen Victoria detailed in tesserae to the top surface. You can see the difference between this and the other on the site, illustrating clearly the variations in this style and the age of the Queen. &...(more details)
£175.00
Rare Dip PenA delicate and charming dip pen, the nib mount marked "The Imperial Holder". It is quite a difficult object to photograph! Most manufacturers produced examples of this "inlaid turnery" in all sorts of designs for candlesticks, waxers, ...(more details)
£195.00
Writing SlopeA beautiful rosewood writing slope of delicate proportions, with a waisted shape to the side, and a working original lock and two keys. Inside. the lid is the original tooled felt, and on the other side is a stickware top to the inkpot and tesserae lift c...(more details)
£625.00
Flat Ruler 9"An attractive flat ruler, a desk item. It is divided into 9 inch blocks of tesserae design, all different. The basic design is the star so it would be no surprise that we could attribute this to Barton These items were made in conside...(more details)
£120.00
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)
£65.00
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
Clothes BrushA long clothes brush with tesserae geometric pattern along the back. It is dated C1885, and as the pictures show. the bristles are clean and the design complete. It is an attractive dressing table accessory.
...(more details)
£65.00
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
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)
£225.00
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)
£155.00
- Framing & Restoration
- Tunbridgeware
- Mauchline, Tartanware & Derivatives
- Antique Boxes
- Stevengraphs
- Antique Prints, Etchings, and other Mediums
- Baxter Prints
- Le Blond and Licencees Prints
- Reference and Other Books
- Silhouettes
- Prattware
- The Gentleman's Recreation 1686
