Sold 4 November 2025 · Opus Antiques

This “Antique Tunbridge Ware Skein Holder” found a buyer.

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

Find more for sale

Antique Needlework Accessories Inlaid Wood Sewing Box Mosaic Wooden Box Ask the dealer for something similar

Description

This beautiful 19th century Tunbridge Ware skein holder is decorated to on both sides with 3D cubes. Each side of the cube is a different wood to give it a striking appearance.

It contains a sliding skein holder which pulls out from the ends. These pieces are quite unusual to find.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Tunbridge Ware Skein Holder to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1170131

Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description

This beautiful 19th century Tunbridge Ware skein holder is decorated to on both sides with 3D cubes. Each side of the cube is a different wood to give it a striking appearance.

It contains a sliding skein holder which pulls out from the ends. These pieces are quite unusual to find.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Tunbridge Ware Skein Holder to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1170131

About the Dealer

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2014

Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items

Dealer Profile

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

PDF

SAVE

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface.

1 / 9

Archive I

An Antique Tunbridge Ware Skein Holder

Archive II

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View II

Archive III

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View III

Archive IV

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View IV

Archive V

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View V

Archive VI

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View VI

Archive VII

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View VII

Archive VIII

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View VIII

Archive IX

An elongated rectangular antique Tunbridge Ware skein holder featuring a geometric mosaic wood inlay pattern on the top surface. View IX

Opus Antiques

Telephone 07941 285 532

Location

North Devon
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques

Verified Since Oct 2014

Items For Sale 99

Items Sold 2,403

Email Opus Antiques

An Antique Tunbridge Ware Skein Holder

Ref: SA1170131

Your Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Message

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

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.

Secure Transit

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.

The Sustainable Choice

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.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectSewing Accessories
Period19th century
StyleVictorian
MaterialVarious native and exotic woods
ColourBrown
MotifsGeometric mosaic, Cube perspective pattern, Multi-wood banding

FAQs

Tunbridge Ware is a form of decorative woodwork, specifically mosaic marquetry, produced principally in the town of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Pieces are constructed using numerous tiny strips of various naturally coloured British and foreign woods, assembled in geometric or pictorial patterns, sliced, and glued onto a wooden carcass.

Authentic pieces feature extremely fine mosaic work where the individual tiles are microscopic, often accompanied by characteristic cubic or tessellated patterns and occasionally bearing retailer labels such as Barton or Nye.

This small decorative object integrates well on a bookshelf, mantelpiece, or desk as part of a curated collection of antique treen and curiosities.

Maintain the piece by keeping it away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity, gently dusting with a dry microfiber cloth, and avoiding liquid polishes or moisture which can damage the delicate veneer.