 |
ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra
2 Middleton Road
London E8 4BL
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7254 7074
email: boxes@hygra.com |
Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
Tea Caddies and Tea
|
|
| An Impressive Inlaid Tunbridge ware Tea Chest Circa 1870. |
A fine and impressive Tunbridgeware tea chest in coromandel
ebony inlaid with micro mosaic.
The top has a scene of Netley Abbey in fine tesserae.
The
concave sides are inlaid with a particularly wide band of inlay in
"Berlin wool work design.
Inside the chest has well figured bird's eye maple inlaid with
floral designs. The bird's eye maple contrasts
dramatically with the dark coromandel of the outside.
The chest stands on turned stickware feet.
The chest has a working lock and key.
15 inches wide.
Please click on the images to enlarge
|  |
|
|
|
 |
The shape of this chest is particularly dramatic. The
slightly convex top contrasting with the concave sides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detail of the well composed and executed inlay of the inside of the
top.
|
 |
|
|
| Detail of top showing Netley Abbey in fine
tesserae of micro mosaic. |
 |
|
|
The picture of Netley Abbey is flanked on both sides with a
geometric motif of floral inspiration. The whole top is framed by a
band of Berlin wool work depicting floral patterns.
|
 |
|
|
 |
Detail: The Berlin woolwork band. Technically it was much more difficult
to apply the mosaic to a curved surface as here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The lift out canisters are veneered with birds eye
maple and the tops are inlaid with a stylized floral motif and framed
with a geometric band.
|
|
|
The inside of the canisters retain much of their original leading.
|
 |
|
|
 |
The bowl has an engraved pattern depicting ferns.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The chest stands on turned stickware feet. Notice that the surface
has not been refinished and has much of its original copal varnish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
