Antique Treen 19thc Tunbridge ware Turned Pill Box. English. C1860-80.

I nearly missed this on my travels as it is not very big, but it makes up for lack of size by its quality....it has ring turn decoration around the circular edge and then the top is beautifully inlaid in a marquetry pattern (geometric shapes inlaid on top of the original surface) typical design known as Tunbridge ware...the box was probably used for pills or even as a patch box... patches which were usually black , were popular with the fashionable women and sometimes the men of this period, who wanted to emphasize the beauty of their skin.....the box itself is made of rosewood and has gained a very good patina and is in excellent condition.

English. C1860-80