Inlaid Compartment Box by W&A Chapman

Appreciating Tunbridgeware it was a very small step to see the workmanship skills applied to this box. There is a label underneath (see pictures), for W&A Chapman. W&A Chapman Ltd was founded in 1864 by William Muggleton Chapman and Arthur Allen Chapman. This developed into a department store, situated in North Street, Taunton, which sold furniture, drapery and household goods. The family were also involved for a number of years with Silver Street Baptist Church, Taunton. The company ran 1879-1990s. It is hard to date the box but the type of label suggests probably about 1900. The sides of the box are mahogany, and the top is a selection of exotic woods set in a geometric pattern. The string inlay surrounds patterns in 4 lines, and the outer inlay is very reminiscent of early Tunbridgeware. The original lock was damaged beyond repair so has been replaced. The many compartments to the inside make the box a very useful item for multiple uses. Dimensions are: 30 cms x 23.5 cms x 7 cms. The best picture for the wood colours is the one in natural light on the metal table outside.