Featured Wooden jewelry box with birds, etc

Curious about age and possible origin on this one.

It seems to have some age but maybe more vintage than antique. Gut sense is that the fabric inside is a replacement.

A few condition issues, but still some charm. Another idea would be if anyone can link a similar piece for comparison just so I get a sense if it's worth listing. Thank you for taking a look!




Those top drawers twist open and out
.

 

I’d say Italian, Sorrento Ware (olive wood.) The swallows seem to be a common theme.

 

Thank you!

 

Sweet! Tunbridge ware...

http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/made-in-tonbridge/tunbridge-ware.htm

~Cheryl

 

Off to do some research. Thank you both for the leads!

 

As @anundverkaufen says, it is Italian Sorrento ware. The latch mechanism and fold out drawers are very typical of Italian and it does indeed seem to be made in olive wood. Looks like an early 20th century item, the Aesthetic style was used a bit later here than in some other areas. Here's an example which is handily named:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1748785000...5-0&campid=5338680767&customid=1&toolid=10049

It's probably a little later than the seller suggests given the hook latch.

 

I'd agree it's Sorrento not Tonbridge. (Note: it's an o not a u, two different towns. ) Wrong woods and inlay styles for Tonbridge.

Swallows were a sentimental motif in the late 19th, but hung on till well into the 30s.

 

I truly am not fully functional these days - the mosaic-work always brings Tunbridge ware to my mind, even though I knew similar was produced in Italy as well (packed away somewhere, have a book on Tunbridge ware that includes a section on Sorrento ware).

Thought this short article on a collector's site was interesting:

http://donwiss.com/tunbridge-ware/Sorrento-ware-article.htm

~Cheryl

 

All the info is much appreciated. I learn from all of it.

Thank you Anund, Cheryl, CeBCa and Bear.

 

See also marquetry, which this is, versus parquetry.

And Mauchlin Ware.

 

Packed away, but still love the sweet Mauchline ware box with lilies of the valley you sent in our first Christmas gift exchange:





~Cheryl

 

I remember that one! I loved the lily of the valley on it. I'm so pleased you liked it.