Community
Eric Knowles teaches a new dog some old tricks
I do hope you are able to pop in and visit us in due course. We’re in the Corn Exchange at 49 Lower Walk on The Pantiles, and can be contacted on 01892 322777 or by way of hello@pantilesarcade.com
We’d like to think that you’re already aware that we have reanimated the long-redundant Corn Exchange on the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. It’s been brought back to life as a vibrant, up-market antiques emporium under the guiding hand of TV’s Eric Knowles and – since opening last summer – has attracted several leading purveyors of the decorative arts, and can now boast showrooms packed with everything from pre-Roman antiquities to the finest pieces of 20th century art glass, deco furniture and objets d’art. However – we’re now taking one step further, and bringing back to life one of the traditional crafts which went a long way towards first establishing the reputation Tunbridge Wells once it had become recognised as a go-to tourist attraction in the latter part of the 18th century. Since opening, we have made great efforts to acquire and
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curate as broad a collection of Tunbridge Ware artefacts as possible. This astonishingly intricate craft – dating back over 200 years – was centred around The Pantiles, where we now reside, with manufactories and shops crowding around the then heart of the growing town. After a century or more of pre-eminence, though, Tunbridge Ware fell out of favour as new ideas swept across Europe under the guise of the Art Deco movement of the 1920’s – there was little room for homespun crafting amidst the overwhelming urge to embrace modernity. However, we have been so taken by the skill and dexterity that went in to manufacturing at the premises on Frant Road and around the fringes of The Common that we have resolved to fit out our own workshop, and recommence the production of new Tunbridge Ware items, whilst keeping a close eye on the
traditional methods used by our crafting forebears. As with the original trade, we have begun with geometric patterns made from tiled wooden veneers, and will have some utilitarian dining and kitchen accoutrements for sale – drinks coasters, table mats and the like all based on ‘original’ Tunbridge Ware designs. In the first instance these will be available exclusively from our own outlet at The Corn Exchange, either to personal callers or via our existing on-line portal at ScottishAntiques.com. We will also be running a stall, specifically to sell these items, at the upcoming Easter market on The Pantiles – please do come and pay us a visit and play your part in re-establishing one of the town’s traditions.