A Victorian Tunbridge ware inlaid rosewood teapoy circa 1850-60, the hinged spreading cover with...

A Victorian Tunbridge ware inlaid rosewood teapoy circa 1850-60, the hinged spreading cover with domed superstructure inlaid with a view of Eridge Castle, within multiple geometric borders, the underside with further foliate panel and borders, the broadening sarcophagus form body, decorated with a broad band of triangular 'backgammon' style inlays in specimen woods, framed by mosaic friezes, enclosing two removable caddies with inlaid hinged covers, flanking a blending well with inlaid border housing a later glass bowl, the octagonally facetted tapering in concave triangular platform base and scroll feet, 16" x 10" x 32" high (41cm x 25cm x 81cm) with key.

The Eridge estate is reputedly the oldest enclosed Deer Park in England. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book, where it is called Reredfelee, and at that time was owned by Odo, the brother of William the Conqueror. The Nevill family inherited the Estate in 1448.

In 1787 Henry Nevill, the 2nd Earl of Abergavenny, began building Eridge Castle in exuberant Strawberry Hill Gothic style and in the years following, the landscape was enhanced by the construction of follies and the rebuilding of old workers' cottages in ornate Estate style.

In the late 1930s the Castle was demolished and the current Georgian style mansion house was built, which is now the home of the 6th Marquess of Abergavenny and his family.