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ID #SA1243905
FOR SALE
£295
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Walnut and Tumbridge Inlaid Jewellery and Writing Box
For sale by Sturmans Antiques
for sale €345     $375
£295
Sturmans Antiques

Sturmans Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2012
Browse dealers 178 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in antique walnut & oak furniture, upholstered chairs, globes, boxes & tantaluses, clocks & barometers, old moorcroft & silver
  • Trade Associations
    Sturmans Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 
Id #SA1243905
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Walnut and Tumbridge Inlaid Jewellery and Writing Box

19th century
Description

A Victorian burr walnut Tumbridge ware inlaid jewellery box with internal writing slope, c.1880. The oblong box has rounded corners to the lid and is veneered in burr walnut with decorative bands of Tumbridge ware inlay to the front and sides, plus complementing inlays to the centre of the lid and around the mother of pearl lock escutcheon. The hinged lid opening to reveal an original fitted interior with silk panel to the lid, which falls forward at the top to access the concealed letter compartment. Removable jewellery tray to the surface with original silk covered lids; the tray lifting out to access the writing slope. The front of the box folds over to reveal a writing surface with original pink velvet covering, which has a gilded tooled edge. Pen and ink section to the rear of the writing surface with pen tray and spaces for two ink wells. Presented in excellent original condition with a rich colour and patina. Keep up to date via our Instagram channel - sturmansantiques.

Date of Manufacture

Sturmans Antiques has dated this Tunbridge Ware Walnut Box to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
15cm (5.91")
Width
30cm (11.81")
Depth
23cm (9.06")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1243905
Dealers Internal Reference
Stock number 44352
Dealers Notes

Our terms and conditions for purchases can be found under the 'Buying From Us' tab on our website: www.sturmansantiques.co.uk

MAINLAND UK SHIPPING

We offer a professional fully insured delivery service for larger items. Please contact us with your postcode for a door-to-door delivery quote for a specific item.

For clocks and barometers bought from us, we also offer a setting up service by our trained personnel (local deliveries only).

Smaller items are shipped by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes insurance for the item whilst in transit and a guaranteed tracked delivery.

Packing and postage charges for mainland UK are shown for most items on this website. Where an item is large or requires specialist delivery, please contact us with your postcode for a specific door-to-door delivery quote.

EUROPE AND WORLDWIDE

Through our trusted international shippers we will source the most competitive quote for delivery to your door. All items are wrapped and packed by the specialist shippers.

We are happy to make initial arrangements for worldwide shipments on your behalf. However, please note that the shipping payment is made by you the customer directly with the shippers. The shipping contract is therefore between you the customer and the shippers (not Sturmans Antiques). We therefore recommend that customers obtain adequate insurance for each item prior to shipment, to cover them in the event of any loss or damage in transit.

Please be aware that it is the customers responsibility to check with the shipping agent and/or relevant customs office regarding any import duties that may be due.

Description
A Victorian burr walnut Tumbridge ware inlaid jewellery box with internal writing slope, c.1880. The oblong box has rounded corners to the lid and is veneered in burr walnut with decorative bands of Tumbridge ware inlay to the front and sides, plus complementing inlays to the centre of the lid and around the mother of pearl lock escutcheon.
“
The hinged lid opening to reveal an original fitted interior with silk panel to the lid, which falls forward at the top to access the concealed letter compartment.
Sturmans Antiques

Removable jewellery tray to the surface with original silk covered lids; the tray lifting out to access the writing slope. The front of the box folds over to reveal a writing surface with original pink velvet covering, which has a gilded tooled edge. Pen and ink section to the rear of the writing surface with pen tray and spaces for two ink wells. Presented in excellent original condition with a rich colour and patina. Keep up to date via our Instagram channel - sturmansantiques.

Date of Manufacture

Sturmans Antiques has dated this Tunbridge Ware Walnut Box to the Victorian era.

Height
15cm (5.91")
Width
30cm (11.81")
Depth
23cm (9.06")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1243905
Dealers Internal Ref
Stock number 44352
Sturmans Antiques
Sturmans Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2012

Specialists in antique walnut & oak furniture, upholstered chairs, globes, boxes & tantaluses, clocks & barometers, old moorcroft & silver

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sturmans Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Sturmans Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 

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A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole.
1 / 7
Archive I A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole.

Walnut and Tumbridge Inlaid Jewellery and Writing Box

Archive II A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole. View II
Archive III A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole. View III
Archive IV A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole. View IV
Archive V A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole. View V
Archive VI A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Sturmans Antiques Ltd
Main Street
Hawes
North Yorkshire
DL8 3QW
United Kingdom
Verified Since Sep 2012
Items For Sale 178
Items Sold 10,970
Sturmans Antiques
Sturmans Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Sturmans Antiques Ltd, Main Street, Hawes, North Yorkshire, DL8 3QW, United Kingdom
Verified
Sep 2012
For Sale
178
Sold
10,970
A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole.
Walnut and Tumbridge Inlaid Jewellery and Writing Box
Ref: SA1243905
A rectangular Victorian burr walnut box featuring geometric mosaic Tunbridge ware inlay along the edges and surrounding a central diamond-shaped keyhole.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectJewellery Boxes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialBurr Walnut, Tunbridge Ware Inlay, Bone
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsTunbridge mosaic inlay, Diamond escutcheon, Domed lid, Burr walnut veneer
  • SizeH 15 cm (6 in) x W 30 cm (12 in) x D 23 cm (9 in)

Tunbridge ware is a traditional form of inlaid woodwork that originated in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, during the seventeenth century and peaked in popularity during the Victorian era. Craftsmen utilized small, naturally coloured wooden tesserae arranged in geometric bands or intricate mosaic pictures to decorate wooden souvenir and storage items.

Victorian inlaid boxes were typically constructed using native and imported hardwoods such as walnut, mahogany, and rosewood. Decorative elements incorporated micro-marquetry mosaic strips made from varied timber species, along with mother-of-pearl, bone, or brass keyhole escutcheon plates and interior linings.

Authentic pieces display distinct mosaic geometric borders or pixelated pictorial panels made entirely of end-grain wood strips rather than painted patterns. Authentic items from this era also exhibit period-correct construction features, including hand-cut dovetail joints, brass butt hinges, and natural wood patination.

An antique writing or jewellery box functions well as a decorative focal point on an office desk, coffee table, or sideboard top. Layering the box alongside structured hardback books, brass accents, or contemporary ceramics creates balanced visual texture within both traditional and transitional rooms.

Keep the wood surface clean by dusting gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth along the grain. Apply a high-grade beeswax polish sparingly once or twice a year to preserve the timber finish, ensuring the piece is kept away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent veneer lifting.
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