Tunbridge Ware at Amherst Antiques

News Page

News Page updated 8th March 2010
See below for details of 2010 programme

The BADA Fair 17th - 23rd March

We are pleased to preview some of our new Tunbridge Ware stock, which we will be exhibiting at the prestigious BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair held at The Duke of York Square, off Sloane Square SW3, between 17th & 23rd March.

This fine Tunbridge Ware reading stand by Edmund Nye is one of the interesting pieces, which we will be exhibiting.

Please go to the BADA Fair Preview Page for full preview.

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The Benjamin Enigma - An Update

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We are most pleased to announce the completion of ten specially commissioned Tunbridge Ware boxes, which were made by Peter Benjamin of Tonbridge to celebrate the one hundred years since Tunbridge Wells received its royal title from King Edward VII in 1909.

We first suggested the project to Peter in September 2008 and this has now resulted in the 2¾” square boxes, each containing a wooden puzzle and instructions and which have been named The Benjamin Enigma. Known as a tangram, the puzzle is Chinese in origin and consists of seven flat pieces called tans, which are put together to form shapes.

Mindful of its royal associations, kingwood has aptly been chosen for the background veneer of the frieze of the box, which is inlaid with a traditional nineteenth century style design incorporating the dates 1909-2009 in mosaic. Henry Hollamby was thought to have first introduced the use of mosaic lettering in Tunbridge Ware designs in the 1870’s and the technique continued in use into the twentieth century.

The design for the lid has a central star with radiating veneers, which has been chosen to represent the twenty first century. The veneers selected were all typically used in nineteenth century Tunbridge Ware and they especially enhance the design. These include mahogany, sycamore, amarella, ebony, London plane, coconut palm and chlorosplenium & spalted green oak. The inclusion of green veneers obtained from timber attacked by fungi, was particularly favoured in the second half of the nineteenth century by such eminent makers as Thomas Barton.

However, unlike the nineteenth century manufacturers, who enjoyed some considerable division of labour, Peter Benjamin has been responsible for all stages of production. This has proved to be big commitment for Peter, who has devoted almost three months to complete the project. For example, assembly of the central motif for the lid took two days for each box and the block used for the date contained over 1100 tesserae.

The Benjamin Enigma is certainly a unique project, marking Tunbridge Wells’ royal anniversary and displays modern craftsmanship at its best. Nine of the boxes were already ordered in advance of production, one of which has been purchased by Tunbridge Wells Museum to add to their collection. The tenth box has been reserved to sell at The Edenbridge Galleries, where it can now be viewed. Please contact us for further details.

Our Programme for 2010

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We are pleased to publish preliminary details of our Tunbridge Ware programme for 2010.

For the first time in many years we will not be attending the June Olympia Fair. A change of ownership of the fair and the subsequent prohibitive rise in costs has helped us to decide that our Tunbridge Ware can be marketed more efficiently through our own endeavours. Essentially we will be exhibiting at fewer antiques fairs in 2010 and instead will be concentrating on our own events and in maintaining our presence at The Edenbridge Galleries.

Tea & Tunbridge Ware on Saturday 24th April

We are pleased to announce details of our Master Class, A Tale of Two Views, to be held at The Edenbridge Galleries on Saturday 24th April at 2pm.
Dianne Brick will be discussing two recently acquired pieces of Tunbridge Ware with rare topographical subjects. Made some thirty years apart, these views are both examples of gauge work, a technique, which was superseded by the mosaic perfected on the many views produced in the 1870‘s by makers such as Henry Hollamby.

With reference to other gauge work views, Dianne will discuss this interesting basket, which we feel is a rare find indeed. As far as we are aware this church is an unrecorded view in Tunbridge Ware.

The second subject for discussion will be the much celebrated and sought after view of Battle Abbey Gatehouse by Thomas Barton.

Often considered to be Barton’s masterpiece, this view represents a refinement of the earlier gauge work techniques.

The Master Class will be followed by a champagne afternoon tea.

Tea Menu

Selection of Sandwiches
Scones
Mini Chocolate Eclairs
Fruit Cake & Lemon Drizzle Cake
Champagne & Tea or Coffee
*****

Please note admission to this event is by ticket only. Tickets may be purchased from The Edenbridge Galleries. Please contact the Galleries for more information.
Tel: 01732 864163. Email: info@edenbridgegalleries.com

Tunbridge Ware Day at Tonbridge School on 5th June

Our first full Tunbridge Ware Day will be held on Saturday 5th June at Tonbridge School, when Dr Brian Austen will examine the work of the Wise family. The day will also include a tour of the school, which was founded in 1553 in the reign of King Edward VI and is today one of the country’s leading boys’ boarding schools.

Tunbridge Ware Day at Hotel Du Vin on 26th September

On Sunday 26th September we will be returning to Hotel Du Vin for our second Tunbridge Ware Day, when we will concentrate on toys & games. The day will include a lecture by Deborah Jaffé, author & historian, who will give a lecture on the history of wooden toys.

Full details of the above events will be published nearer the time, so watch this space.