19C English Tunbridgeware Tabletop Stationary Box, Micro Mosaic

Stunning little 19th century tabletop stationary box made of micro-mosaic.

Made in Britain, circa 1870, in Tunbridge Wells, hence these type of works are called Tunbridgeware!

Tunbridge ware is a form of decoratively inlaid woodwork, typically in the form of boxes, that is characteristic of Tonbridge and the spa town of Tunbridge Wells in Kent in the 18th and 19th centuries. The decoration typically consists of a mosaic of many very small pieces of different colored woods that form a pictorial vignette. Shaped rods and slivers of wood were first carefully glued together, then cut into many thin slices of identical pictorial veneer with a fine saw. Elaborately striped and feathered bandings for framing were pre-formed in a similar fashion.

The micro-mosaic is made up of thousands of tiny pieces of wood, in various colors, assembled to form an inlay and geometric pattern on the box.

This box has a micro-mosaic floral design as its central motif. It is banded on the lid and sides with more gorgeous micro-mosaic patterns.

The box itself is probably made of a combination of boxwood and raw mahogany. The wooden case is clearly irrelevant as the beauty of this piece is in its micro-mosaic overlay.

The interior is lined in its original burgundy colored red velvet and vinyl.

The interior of the lid doubles as a small writing slope.

The interior has 5 compartments, one for an inkwell (this has the original inkwell in it) and 2 with the original covers (you can really appreciate the original color on these lids. 2 open compartments.

The compartments lift off to reveal more storage underneath, for pens, etc. Again, in original condition.

This piece is in great condition having regard to its age, use and construction. It retains almost all of its original mosaic which is miraculous for these types of pieces.