Toleware is painted and varnish-coated tin kitchen ware, made in imitation of the imported Chinese lacquer wares that were popular in the 18th century Britain, but difficult to obtain. The varnishing process was developed in the 18th century by Thomas Allgood, from the coal mining area of Pontypool in South Wales and it prevented the objects from rusting.

The varnish was created with asphalt, a by-product of the coal that was mined locally, mixed with shellac, and the mixture was applied to the thinly-rolled iron plate objects. This varnish was applied in several layers, each being fired at a high temperature, which rendered the finished object extremely durable.

The process was known as Japanning because it resembled the lacquer on Japanese trays.

The Pontypool factory remained in operation until 1820, but a rival factory in nearby Usk owned by two of Allgood’s grandsons, continued until the more...

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Pair of tole chestnut urns, lidded Regency style, black finish…

Pair of tole chestnut urns, lidded Regency style, black finish metalwork with, hand painted gold star decoration, and twin lion head handles, height 31 cm

A pair of neoclassical gilt tole decorative urns, Italian,…

A pair of neoclassical gilt tole decorative urns, Italian, early 19th century, each decorated with a swag and a pair of scrolled handles, on a moulded base with lamp fitting to reverse, height 35 cm

A very good painted black and gilt tole ware tea-kettle on…

Black and Gilt Tole Ware Tea-Kettle on Stand, 1820

A very good painted black and gilt tole ware tea-kettle on stand, English circa 1820, 30 cm high 26 cm diameter

Tole Peinte tea urn circa 1780 Dutch hand painted decoration on…

Dutch Hand-Painted Tea Urn, 1780

Tole Peinte tea urn circa 1780 Dutch hand painted decoration on tripod base, height 41 cm

Two Australian tole ware hat boxes, one inscribed 'Dk Wilkins…

Australian Tole Ware Hat Boxes, Inscribed and Provenance-Linked

Two Australian tole ware hat boxes, one inscribed 'Dk Wilkins 63 Tamworth NSW Aus' (2), height 30 width 40.5 cm depth 30.5 cm, height 41 cm width 44 cm depth 33 cm. Provenance: The collection of Robert Hutchinson, Sydney

An antique English tole ware box, original black lacquer…

19th Century English Japanned Tole Ware Box

An antique English tole ware box, original black lacquer Japanned finish with hand-painted floral vignettes and claw feet, 19th century, 24 cm high, 36 cm wide, 26 cm deep

A Victorian tole Peinte quatrefoil canister, Now containing a…

Victorian Canister with Pinecones

A Victorian tole Peinte quatrefoil canister, Now containing a quantity of pinecones.

A pair of French tole ware lidded chestnut urns, 19th century,…

19th Century French Tole Ware Chestnut Urns

A pair of French tole ware lidded chestnut urns, 19th century, of typical form, painted with provincial scenes, flanked by lion mask and ring handles, 31 cm high.

A pair of rare black and gilt Chinoiserie tole tea bins,…

Rare Chinoiserie Tole Tea Bins from 19th Century England

A pair of rare black and gilt Chinoiserie tole tea bins, English, first half of the 19th century 71 cm high, 55 cm wide, 50 cm deep Provenance: the collection of Leo Schofield, Dysart house, Tasmania

A French Empire Chinoiserie toleware jardiniere, 19th century,…

Gilt French Chinoiserie Jardiniere, 19th Century

A French Empire Chinoiserie toleware jardiniere, 19th century, gilt painted with courtiers in a landscape, 20 x 14 cm

An antique 'Chateau Neuf Du Pape' red tole ware grape pickers…

Antique Chateau Neuf Du Pape Tole Ware Grape Bin

An antique 'Chateau Neuf Du Pape' red tole ware grape pickers bin., 59 cm wide, 45 cm deep, 60 cm high. Provenance: Mossgreen, Melbourne, Quarterly Collectors Auction Series, 2015, lot 717

An antique 'Chateau Neuf Du Pape' red tole ware grape pickers…

Antique Tole Ware Grape Picker's Bin

An antique 'Chateau Neuf Du Pape' red tole ware grape pickers bin. 60 cm high, 59 cm wide, 45 cm deep.

An antique chinoiserie decorated red toleware coal bin. 52 cm…

Chinoiserie Toleware Coal Bin

An antique chinoiserie decorated red toleware coal bin. 52 cm high, 36 cm wide, 30 cm deep

A floral painted green tole paper bin, French, circa 1900. 25…

French Floral Tole Paper Bin, 1900

A floral painted green tole paper bin, French, circa 1900. 25 cm high, 25 cm wide, 17.5 cm deep

A graduated pair of tole Ware tea tins 44 & 36 cm high

Graduated Tole Ware Tea Tins, 44 & 36 cm High

A graduated pair of tole Ware tea tins 44 & 36 cm high

Impressive antique toleware lidded wine cooler, fitted with two…

Antique Toleware Wine Cooler with Lid and Handles

Impressive antique toleware lidded wine cooler, fitted with two handles, approx 63 cm high, 56 cm wide

Pair of antique French tole Ware vases. of square tapering form,…

Antique French Tole Ware Vases - Pair

Pair of antique French tole Ware vases. of square tapering form, approx 24 cm high, 16 cm Sq (2)

A pair of tole ware jardinieres, decorated with acanthus leaves…

Acanthus Tole Ware Jardinieres - 36cm High

A pair of tole ware jardinieres, decorated with acanthus leaves on a maroon ground, 36 cm high

A rare Georgian tole ware plate warmer the domed top above…

Georgian Tole Ware Plate Warmer

A rare Georgian tole ware plate warmer the domed top above shaped door enclosing shelves, brass handles to the sides, painted throughout, set on cabriole legs with pad feet 70 cm high

A Tole spice box, early 20th century, the green-painted…

Green Tin Spice Box with Six Divisions

A Tole spice box, early 20th century, the green-painted rectangular tin on ball feet with a hinged top enclosing six divisions with a decorated internal hinged cover labelled with the names of various spices. Height 9 cm. Width 18 cm. Depth 10.5 cm