... although described as Ostrich posy vases , I presume they were more likely made for the Australian market and sold as Emus ...
Good point, Roy. Thompson makes it clear that neither ostrich or emu appeared in the design registration document, and that her use of the word ostrich was simply an observation based on the accompanying illustration. So it could have been whatever the client wanted it to be. Nice marketing.
On the subject of ostriches, Sowerby pattern 1193, Rd 13 February 1877, is described by both Thompson and Cottle as a vase; Thompson making it clear that this was again an observation based on the illustration. Unfortunately this doesn't hold water, both literally and metaphorically, as it is actually an egg stand. Although customarily described today as an ostrich egg stand, it would fit any large egg, so again it could have been whatever the client wanted it to be. Incidentally, I've only ever seen it in black, yet Sowerby advertised it in Gold (Thompson, back cover) and Opal Vitro-porcelain (Cottle, p.57). Has anyone seen an example that is not black?
Bernard C.
Topic: Burtles and Tate Opalescent Emu's (Read 3245 times)
