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A Tunbridge ware writing slope with grape border and Eastnor Castle
in mosaic inlay Circa 1875.
Please click on images to enlarge
Reference: wb102
Description:
A Tunbridge ware writing slope veneered in well figured and beautifully
patinated walnut. The main picture depicts Eastnor Castle. The gently flaring
sides are decorated with a fine tesserae depicting flowers. The top
framing is also unusual in that it depicts vines and grapes, quite an
exotic plant in the mid 19th C. The box also features a pair of original
inkwells with turned Tunbridge stick-ware tops.
working lock and key.
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For further information see:
www.hygra.com/material.htm#tun
www.hygra.com/tumtcl.htm
Origin: Tunbridge
Wells UK
Circa: 1875
Size: 32.5cm wide by 27.5cm the height tapering from 5cm
to 8cm: 12.8inches wide by 10.8inches the height tapering from
2inches to 3.2inches:
Condition: good
overall: original velvet writing tablet is worn especially near the
join, the wood is nicely patinated.
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The top framing is also unusual in that it depicts vines and
grapes, quite an exotic plant in the mid 19th C. This design is
sharply outlined against the dark background. The composition
shows more than impeccable workmanship; the treatment bears witness
to artistic sensitivity.
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Please click on images to enlarge
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The main picture depicts
Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire. The Castle is in current use and
a popular venue for weddings and corporate events.
See http://www.eastnorcastle.com/
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Please click on images to enlarge
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There is a patch in the
walnut just below the hinge. In my opinion this veneer patch dates
from when the box was made but has become more visible with time.
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Please click on images to enlarge
The top framing is also unusual in that it depicts vines and grapes,
quite an exotic plant in the mid 19th C. This design is sharply
outlined against the dark background. The composition shows
more than impeccable workmanship; the treatment bears witness to
artistic sensitivity.
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The writing tablet is
the original embossed velvet. This is worn especially in the middle.
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Please click on images to enlarge
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There is a compartment for
paper under the flap.
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The writing surface is
framed with dark rosewood facings which is lightened by having a bead
run in.
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The upper compartment
is fully fitted and has a pentray veneered with figured walnut as well
as its two original inkwells with their turned stickware tops.
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Please click on images to enlarge
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The designs on the two
inkwells are just a little different. Both have been made up by carefully
constructing a "log". The process is very wasteful of
wood which must be brought to exact dimension for
the pattern to keep its geometric integrity. The pieces of wood are
first sawn and then scraped to exact size.
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This pattern
in the middle is made up of two triangular elements. There is a maple and
ebony triangle and a rosewood/padauk with maple. It will have been inlaid
into the rosewood top. The nature of the process means that the wood is
end grain. |
Please click on images to enlarge
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The top framing is also
unusual in that it depicts vines and grapes, quite an exotic plant in
the mid 19th C. The mitered corners are particularly well matched
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Please click on images to enlarge
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In Tunbridge ware the colours
of the woods are natural and not stained. Although they have faded and
altered with time the result has impact over a century later. The relative
contrasts make the design clear, and survives the changes.
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Detail of the lid of
the pen and ink tray: a parquetry in dramatic almost three
dimensional cube pattern made up of juxtapositions of imported and home
grown hardwoods. The native English woods such as maple and thorn have
been selected for figure and colour. for comparison see www.hygra.com/tc2/tunvantc.htm
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Please click on images to enlarge
 
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There is a gamebox with
a picture of Eastnor Castle illustrated at page 101 of our
book.
Antique
Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880,
ISBN: 0764316885 Antigone Clarke &
Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..
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All text and images and linked images are ©
1999-2005 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further
information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us
at copyright@hygra.com
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