This fine Tunbridge ware case dates from the mid 19th century and is by Thomas Barton. It is a striking example and shows Thomas Barton's work at its best.

 

The rose design on the obverse incorporates a large number of different colour woods (as can be seen from the enlargement below), including green oak which is a characteristic of Barton's work. The reverse shows the classic 'tumbling cube' design, designed to show the various woods to their best advantage.

 

Thomas Barton was an excellent designer and creator of tessellated mosaic work. He joined James and Edmund Nye in 1836 and rapidly became Nye's top designer. It was Barton who produced the fine work exhibited by Nye at the Great Exhibition of 1851. He took over the Nye workshop in 1863, shortly before Edmund's death.

 

To find out about the Tunbridge ware technique, click here.

 

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