Object number
59/2
Exhibition
Description
This is a Tunbridge ware egg cup with a printed engraving of a sea front pasted onto the wood. This work was characteristic of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, Kent, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is inscribed ‘Lyme Regis & Harbour’ with a picture of the scene above.
Physical description
1 egg cup: wood; good condition
Label Text
<div style="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><p><span><span>Egg cups and egg topper Egg cups are designed to hold boiled eggs, which are a popular breakfast around the world. The cups come in a variety of different shapes and materials. These scary looking metal scissors, called egg toppers, cut the top off a soft-boiled egg. MERL 59/2, MERL 92/44, MERL 63/612, MERL 60/755/1 and MERL 65/307</span></span></p></div>
Archival history
MERL ‘Associated information’ form – ‘[insert] 59/2 pn 60/2344 Dom. Serving food. [end insert] Name of Object: EGG CUP // Age…: - // Name and address of present owner: [...] Dorking, Surrey // Description of use to which it was put…: [pencil sketch] 3.25 8 x 4 cm (height x diam at base). Tunbridge ware. Picture of 'Lyme Regis & Harbour' on it. Inscribed 'LYME REGIS & HARBOUR’ with image above., MERL miscellaneous note – Gill, M.A.V. (1985) Tunbridge ware, Princes Risborough // Tunbridge ware is a form of decoratively inlaid woodwork in which a mosaic of tiny pieces of different coloured woods form a picture. This style of mosaic decoration developed in late 1820s around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge in Kent. The name ‘Tunbridge ware’ is also the term used to describe printed engravings and texts, some hand coloured, pasted onto light wood. This type of decoration was popular on holiday resort souvenirs.
Production place
Kent
Object name
Material
Technique
Dimensions
- Height 80 mm
- Diameter 40 mm
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_2344.tif - High resolution image
