Tunbridge Ware – An Early Writing Slope with Geometric Designs, c1835

Additional Information:
Heading: Tunbridge Ware – An Early Writing Slope with Geometric Designs
Date : c1835
Period : William IV
Origin : Tunbridge Wells; England
Decoration : A rectangular geometric design (actually two designs, one mirrored, with the other set inside it) to the top of the lid, enclosed with banded key-line stringing and miniature vanDyke border; around the edges of the lid, a band of miniature mosaic squares and further banded key-lines; plain rosewood veneers to the four sides; internally, a lift-up writing surface over the main void; to the rear, an elongated tray in four divisions, two of which hold glass inkwells (one with a brass lid, the other missing). The inside of the lid re-lined with black velvet, and the remainder of the interior relined with marbled paper; original pale magenta lining paper to the base
Size : 29.1 W x 24.4 D x 8.9 H (at rear)
Condition : Very good; structurally sound other than a split through the base, but this is solid as the base is contained by the frame of the box; some narrow shrinkage gaps between some of the constituent decorative pieces, but all of these are firmly seated; some scuffs and scratches entirely commensurate with age and use; working lock and key
Restoration : Re-lining as above
Notes : This unlabelled piece has all the hallmarks of an example of Edmund Nye’s work at the time when his working relationship with Thomas Barton had just begun (the mid 1830’s); it’s easy to see how the rather naiive geometric pattern in the centre of the lid was to evolve in to the far more accomplished designs used extensively by the partnership in later years; without this consideration, the Burrows family would perhaps also be in the frame given the use of very finely grained tiles in the mosaic squares.