Tunbridge Ware Collection
Royal Tunbridge Wells was a spa destination in Roman times. Over the past 200+ years a tourism industry built up around the spas. The local artisians created souvenirs from wood to sell to the tourists. The number of tourists would have increased dramatically after the railroad arrived in 1844.
Initially the local craftsmen made wooden things that were painted on blonde wood. In the early 19th century they switched to inlaying wood. Initially cubes in 3-D perspectives. Or cascading cubes or tumbling blocks. And in VanDykes. Then to meet increased demand they began gluing wood strips together, and then slicing through them. This then led to even smaller strips to create micro mosaic pictures. Wikipedia page on Tunbridge ware. A newspaper article on Beware Sorrento Ware.
Tunbridge ware was made for all treen that was popular at the time. Anything that could be made in wood in a small size for the tourists to take back. Pictures from #3 onwards are mostly the sellers' pictures.
Also in Acquisition Order.
See links to British antique dealer websites.
Contents:
Furniture
Sewing
(15)
Needlebook
3-3/16" W × 1-3/4" D (wood part) × 3/8" H
(75)
Waxer
15/16" dia. × 11/32" H
(118)
Waxer
7/8" dia. × ?" H
Correspondence
(101)
Bookslide
5" wide; 11-3/8" folded, extending to 19-1/2"
(65)
Pen Box
9-3/4" W × 3-1/2" D × 2-3/4" H
(122)
Pen Box
10" W × 3" D × 1-3/4" H
(63)
Pen Box
9-1/2" W × 3-1/2" D × 2-1/4" H
(135)
Pen Box
8-5/8" W × 1-1/2" H × 2-5/8" D
Visiting Card Cases
Games: Tangram Puzzle Boxes
Games: Card Cases
Games: Puzzle Balls
Games: Tiddly Winks Pots
Games: Spinning Tops
Glove Boxes
(94)
Glove Box
9-11/16" L × 3-9/16" W × 2-7/16" D
Personal Appearance
Storing Tea
Stamps
Snuff Boxes
Boxes
(103)
Small Box
3-3/4" W × 2-1/2" D × 1-3/8" H
(41)
Large Box
10-5/8" W × 8-5/8" D × 3-1/16" H
Napkin Rings
Other
