Topic: Sowerby Milk Glass, possibly Walter Crane?????

[chuggy]

I picked this up today purely because it is a pattern I've not seen before, so hoping one of the pressed glass experts can ID for me. It has the look to me of one of the pieces Walter Crane did for Sowerby in the late 19th c, but that it pure guess work, so help please.

http://i10.tinypic.com/2eyifcm.jpg

Paul

[chuggy]

Thanks Glen, I thought it must be a fairly unusual pattern as I'd never come across it before and I've seen most of the patterns from that period at one time or another.
I'll probably sell it on as it's not really my thing so when I do I'll give you a heads up.
Paul

[Angela B]

Wow you lucky person!! There are two sizes of this vase, and I have both in purple malachite, but I'd love one in vitroporcelain like yours. You can see a picture of my larger one and a bit of text here: http://www.glass.co.nz/sowerby2.htm
Best wishes
Angela

[chuggy]

It sounds like a rare piece then, the drum in this example is 8cm across which I would guess makes it the small size.
Paul

[Bernard C]

Paul — The numbers man here:

Your small example of "Gathering Apples" has rod handles and pattern number 1268.   Angela's example has flat handles and is 1269.   Note that the two moulds are quite different in detail, just the same basic theme.  1269 also came with a lid, one of the rarest Sowerby pieces.   I've never seen a lid, nor even heard of a collector with one.

It was Simon Cottle who tracked down the Miss Howard "Gathering Apples" hand painted plate, and published the information in his book Sowerby — Gateshead Glass.   References to "Gathering Apples" should cite this publication.

As Sowerby pattern numbers are sequential, we can date the pattern quite accurately from the list in Cottle to around October / November 1877.

I think that ties up the loose ends.

I've had two through my hands, both 1269s.   One was opaque white;  the other was a fabulous ruby stained opalescent, sadly badly damaged with most of a handle missing and other serious defects.

Bernard C.  

[chuggy]

Many thanks to Glen, Angela and Bernard for your combined input. As I mentioned earlier I bought it purely out of curiosity and it's not my cup of tea at all so I'd rather it went where it will be more appreciated so I'll pop it on e-bay on Monday.
Paul

[Bernard C]

Am I being rebuked? I quoted Cottle - clearly named him.

Not at all, Glen.   I was just emphasising your point and providing Paul and other readers with a more complete citation.

... and it is worth the effort.   There has been a noticeable and pleasing improvement in GMB members' citing sources and appreciation of IP over the last few years.

Bernard C. 

[Frank]

...we can date the pattern quite accurately...

For accuracy, we can date the introduction of the pattern quite accurately

[Bernard C]

No, Frank, I chose my words carefully here, and deliberately used date the pattern.

There are many dates that can be associated with a product, most of which we don't usually know.   The best date of all is the pattern date, i.e. when the product was given a factory pattern number, as this is a strong indication that this is the moment when a product changed from being in development, through the first idea, then experiment and trial, to become an accepted factory product.

We are fortunate that Sowerby used a single sequential system of pattern numbering throughout the factory's existence.   When this is combined with other dating evidence, it enables us to date patterns with a high level of confidence, particularly when that other evidence is plentiful, such as during parts of the late 1870s and 1880s when many designs were registered.  Hence my two month high degree of confidence window for this particular pair of pattern numbers.

The use of the word introduction has two problems.   It dilutes the quality of information.   Also it hints at a launch date, about which we have much less information.

My apologies for not explaining all this earlier, but I didn't think it necessary.

Bernard C. 

[chuggy]

I have now listed this piece on e-bay with a link in the Glass Market Place section, so thank you all once again.
Paul