Antique Painted Tunbridge Ware
Tunbridge Wells was a destination for people to visit the spa waters which were considered to be good for your health.
Souvenir items began to emerge as early as the 17th century and an array of painted Tunbridge Ware was produced in the late 18th/ early 19th century for visitors to buy.
These items were mainly made from whitewood such as sycamore and were usually painted with lines in red, black, green, yellow to the main body with transfer prints, often of Brighton scenes to the lids of the boxes, pannier baskets, nutmeg graters etc.
The Main Image
The image of the small box with the sliding lid with a red and black cottage on it. It also has a motto on it "for your conftant friend'. Note the old use of the letter f in place of s.
The small pannier basket has a pin hinge and picture of a cottage on the lid.
The stacking boxes were a toy, having sixteen progressively smaller boxes inside the outer one with each one having a slightly different painted lid with concentric circles.
The bottom row has a painted pin cushion with wavy/ wriggle work decoration and there is a small trinket box with a picture of a lady to the lid.
Various other painted Tunbridge Ware items can be found from sewing clamps, ink wells and penners to spice towers, thimbles, and pin cushions.
All items in the main image will be for sale on my web site soon.
Antique treen Tunbridge ware for sale
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These hand-painted Tunbridge Ware pieces are such a sophisticated take on early 19th-century design. The delicate floral patterns give them a unique personality compared to the more common mosaic styles. It’s a wonderful way to see how artistry and domestic utility once came together!
And when I take a quick break, I usually just check out inatbox since it’s simple and quick to use.