The last remaining Tunbridge Ware maker....

Some of you may have noticed a middled aged, rather laid back looking fellow walking around Tonbridge High Street and the park. Actually you more likely have noticed his fluffy white poodle. Peter Benjamin (I think that's his name) comes into Mr. Books in Tonbridge every so often for a chat on his way to walk the dog. Why do I mention him? Well it just so happens that Peter is the last surviving Tunbridge Ware maker and restorer in Tonbridge and he is a fascinating man to talk to particularly if he's talking about this secret craft of unique marquetry. Apparently the manufactuer of Tunbridge Ware did indeed start in Tonbridge to supply the growing desire for souvenirs which had developed around the Wells from the late 17th Century onwards. I believe I'm right in saying that the oldest and the biggest maker was George Wise who used to be situated on the north side of the town bridge about where Pizza Express in now. Later on there were manufacturers in Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and most probably Bath and every other place that it would sell. Then it spread to other towns around the world like Sorrento who tried to copy the tecniques which remain, to this day, shrouded in secrecy. Putting very simply indeed they string a load of different coloured woods together to make a pattern and then cut it into blocks so that they can repeat the pattern to enable them to make several similar boxes of pieces of furniture. It was, and is, a painstakingly process as the designs became ever more intricate. The early pieces are now highly collectable and worth, in some cases many thousands of pounds at auction. You can see a sizeable collection housed in Tunbridge Wells Museum if you wish to discover more on the subject. I'm not sure whether or not Peter has an apprentice but he certainly should as otherwise the craft may well leave Tonbridge forever in the not too distant future....