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Writing slope
Unknown - Enlarge image
Writing slope
- Place of origin:
Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom (made)
- Date:
ca. 1830-1870 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
[Writing box] Rosewood, with marquetry of various woods
- Credit Line:
Given by Arthur Myers Smith
- Museum number:
W.3:1 to 7-1925
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 123, case 4
Object Type
This box opens to reveal a writing slope and compartments for pens and ink. It was both a conveniently portable receptacle for writing implements and also an attractive souvenir of one's stay in Tunbridge Wells.
Materials & Making
The veneer that identifies this type of object as 'end grain mosaic ware' is formed from sticks of coloured woods glued together with the ends creating the pattern. The resulting block, when cut transversely, produced many identical sheets, allowing a degree of mass production. Berlin wool-work patterns on graph paper were often transposed directly from their original needlework medium to this woodwork version.
Places
The spa town of Tunbridge Wells became a fashionable resort from the late 17th century. By 1697 the diarist Celia Fiennes noted 'shops full of ... all sorts of curious wooden ware, which this place is noted for.' From the 1830s end grain mosaic ware superseded the original vogue for plain, turned objects and it remained popular until the early 1900s.
Eridge Castle is situated close to Tunbridge Wells and was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century.
Ownership & Use
Tunbridge ware items were associated with polite, usually female, leisure activities such as writing and sewing. Hence they were commonly used and displayed in parlours and drawing rooms.
