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Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870
Sold by Puckerings
sold SA967934
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Puckerings

Puckerings

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Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

19th century
Sold by Puckerings
Sold 19 November 2025 · Puckerings
This “Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870” found a buyer.

It was listed by Puckerings. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

A truly fine example of a Victorian Tunbridge Ware writing box or lap desk dating to c.1870.

The central section featuring Eridge Castle, East Sussex. The box comes complete with a working tasseled key, the lock in working order.

The top portion lifts to reveal the fitted interior incorporating a pair of brass topped inkwells. The lower portion opens to reveal the writing slope in red leather, professionally replaced creating a writing surface for many years to come. The top portion opens to reveal storage for stationery etc. below.

Excellent condition measuring 12 7/8" x 10 1/2" x 3 1/2" tall at rear.

Eridge Park is the family home of the Marquess of Abergavenny. The Estate is steeped in history, being reputedly the oldest enclosed Deer Park in England. It is listed in the Domesday Book under the name of Reredfelle and the ownership of Odo, the brother of William the Conqueror.

The Nevill family inherited the Estate in the heart of the High Weald in 1448 and have been here ever since. Henry VIII often hunted at Eridge Park and Queen Elizabeth I spent six days here in 1573. At that time there was a flourishing iron foundry on the Estate, with a series of mill ponds being created to provide a good supply of water to power the forge.

In 1787 Henry Nevill, the 2nd Earl of Abergavenny began building Eridge Castle in exuberant Gothic, a style made fashionable at the time by the author Horace Walpole with the redevelopment of his London home, Strawberry Hill House. In the following years the landscape was enhanced by opening up vistas, walks and carriage drives, the construction of follies (most notable Saxonbury Tower and the castellated wall at Sham Farm) and the rebuilding of old workers’ cottages in ornate Estate style.

In the late 1800s, the Prince of Wales was a frequent visitor at Eridge shooting parties, as was the Conservative party leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli who, it is said, came here for the venison and strawberries.

In the late 1930s, the Castle was demolished, and the current Georgian-style mansion house was built, which is now the home of the 6th Marquess of Abergavenny and his family. The house and formal gardens still enjoy stunning and peaceful views over the breath-taking Park

Item: 50000

FREE Worldwide Registered Airmail Directly From the UK

Physical Dimensions
Height
8.9cm (3.50")
Width
32.7cm (12.87")
Depth
26.7cm (10.51")
Declaration

Puckerings has dated this Tunbridge Ware Lap Desk to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA967934
Dealers Internal Reference
50000
Dealers Notes

FREE Worldwide Shipping Directly From London, England

Description
A truly fine example of a Victorian Tunbridge Ware writing box or lap desk dating to c.1870.

The central section featuring Eridge Castle, East Sussex. The box comes complete with a working tasseled key, the lock in working order.

The top portion lifts to reveal the fitted interior incorporating a pair of brass topped inkwells.

“
The lower portion opens to reveal the writing slope in red leather, professionally replaced creating a writing surface for many years to come.
Puckerings

The top portion opens to reveal storage for stationery etc. below.

fig 1. An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
fig 1. Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

Excellent condition measuring 12 7/8" x 10 1/2" x 3 1/2" tall at rear.

Eridge Park is the family home of the Marquess of Abergavenny. The Estate is steeped in history, being reputedly the oldest enclosed Deer Park in England. It is listed in the Domesday Book under the name of Reredfelle and the ownership of Odo, the brother of William the Conqueror.

fig 2. An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
fig 2. Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

The Nevill family inherited the Estate in the heart of the High Weald in 1448 and have been here ever since. Henry VIII often hunted at Eridge Park and Queen Elizabeth I spent six days here in 1573. At that time there was a flourishing iron foundry on the Estate, with a series of mill ponds being created to provide a good supply of water to power the forge.

fig 3. An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
fig 3. Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

In 1787 Henry Nevill, the 2nd Earl of Abergavenny began building Eridge Castle in exuberant Gothic, a style made fashionable at the time by the author Horace Walpole with the redevelopment of his London home, Strawberry Hill House. In the following years the landscape was enhanced by opening up vistas, walks and carriage drives, the construction of follies (most notable Saxonbury Tower and the castellated wall at Sham Farm) and the rebuilding of old workers’ cottages in ornate Estate style.

fig 4. An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
fig 4. Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

In the late 1800s, the Prince of Wales was a frequent visitor at Eridge shooting parties, as was the Conservative party leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli who, it is said, came here for the venison and strawberries.

fig 5. An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
fig 5. Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

In the late 1930s, the Castle was demolished, and the current Georgian-style mansion house was built, which is now the home of the 6th Marquess of Abergavenny and his family. The house and formal gardens still enjoy stunning and peaceful views over the breath-taking Park

Item: 50000

FREE Worldwide Registered Airmail Directly From the UK

Height
8.9cm (3.50")
Width
32.7cm (12.87")
Depth
26.7cm (10.51")
Date of Manufacture

Puckerings has dated this Tunbridge Ware Lap Desk to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA967934
Dealers Internal Ref
50000
Puckerings
Puckerings
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2009

A quality online collection of fine english antique smalls with free worldwide shipping from london, england

Dealer Profile

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

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An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle C.1870

Archive II An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View II
Archive III An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View III
Archive IV An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View IV
Archive V An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View V
Archive VI An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View VI
Archive VII An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View IX
Archive X An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View X
Archive XI An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View XI
Archive XII An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View XII
Archive XIII An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View XIII
Archive XIV An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View XIV
Archive XV An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View XV
Archive XVI An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders. View XVI
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07853 189 922
Location
London
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jul 2009
Items For Sale 396
Items Sold 7,616
Puckerings
Puckerings
Verified Since Jul 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Verified
Jul 2009
For Sale
396
Sold
7,616
An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
Fine Tunbridge Ware Writing Box / Lap Desk - Eridge Castle c.1870
Ref: SA967934
An antique Victorian Tunbridge Ware wooden lap desk featuring a detailed mosaic castle view on the lid surrounded by floral mosaic borders.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWriting Boxes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialRosewood, Satinwood, Various Native and Exotic Woods
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsCastle pictorial mosaic, Floral mosaic border, Geometric tessellated banding, Wood mosaic veneer
  • SizeH 8.9 cm (4 in) x W 32.7 cm (13 in) x D 26.7 cm (11 in)

Tunbridge Ware refers to a distinct type of decorative woodwork produced primarily in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, during the 18th and 19th centuries, famous for its meticulous mosaic veneer depicting landscapes and floral motifs.

These items are constructed from various native and exotic woods, utilising thousands of precisely cut, differently coloured wooden segments assembled in bundles, sliced thinly, and applied as a mosaic veneer.

Authentic pieces feature microscopic wood tesserae forming intricate geometric borders, floral patterns, or pictorial scenes, often accompanied by characteristic stamp marks or characteristic rosewood and satinwood carcases.

An antique writing box functions effectively as a sculptural desk accessory or coffee table centrepiece, adding historical texture and rich wood tones to modern minimalist spaces.

Preservation requires maintaining stable indoor humidity levels, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent veneer fading, and applying occasional microcrystalline wax to nourish and protect the wooden surface.
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