An English 19th century Tunbridge Ware cabinet, richly decorated with cube work and floral mosaic, and incorporating a panel of Berlin woolwork embroidery.
Tunbridge Ware was produced by highly skilled cabinetmakers in and around Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Its intricate decoration was created entirely from the natural colours of different woods, without the use of paint.
The geometric cube work was made by arranging small pieces of contrasting woods to create a striking three dimensional optical effect. For the floral mosaic, very thin wooden rods of different colours were carefully grouped together to form a floral pattern. The assembled bundle was then glued, cut into extremely fine cross sections and applied to the surface. This painstaking technique allowed the maker to repeat the same detailed design with remarkable accuracy.
The Berlin woolwork panel was embroidered by hand in coloured wool on a canvas ground. This type of needlework became highly fashionable during the 19th century and took its name from the printed patterns produced and distributed from Berlin throughout Europe.
The combination of intricate Tunbridge Ware decoration and finely worked embroidery makes this cabinet an unusual and highly decorative example of 19th century English craftsmanship.