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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => USA => Topic started by: Georgeinthehat on October 27, 2007, 01:05:40 PM

Title: Pressed Glass Cheese Dish ID = 'Owl and Pussycat', attrib. Adams & Co
Post by: Georgeinthehat on October 27, 2007, 01:05:40 PM
Hello All,

I have been trying to identify the pattern / maker of this covered cheese dish for years, but have been unsuccessful. I call this shape a “flat covered cheese dish” as an identically shaped set (with different pattern motif) is pictured under ACTRESS in “Early American Pattern Glass 1850 - 1910” by Bill Jenks and Jerry Luna.

The ball shaped finial sitting above a squiggly edged matte finish panel . . . and the distinctive vertical ribbing on the outside lip of the under tray on my example is identical to the one shown in the reference book, but mine features a pressed motif of an owl and a cat in a variety of poses.

The under tray has a diameter measuring 8 inches and a height of about 6 ½ inches. I believe my set to be an old one as the glass “feels” right, there is wear consistent to what one would expect on older pieces, and I purchased mine fifteen years ago in Newfoundland, Canada.

The example pictured in the Jenks / Luna publication is called “The Lone Fisherman, Two Dromios base” which has lead me to speculate that the ACTRESS pattern may have actually been produced with more than one primary “motif”. The relish dish and spoon holder also pictured do not look similar to each other, to the “Lone Fisherman” example, or to mine. I don’t have a lot of knowledge about pressed glass, but most patterns I have observed tend to be consistent throughout the product lines . . . with slight pattern variations from tumbler to butter dish . . . etc.

In my opinion the pattern itself is a little on the “harsh” side. The owl and cat are depicted in a variety of natural poses, but in one the owl has a firm grip of the cats tail in its beak. The final pose molded into the underside of the base shows the cat hanging upside down by its tail from the beak of the owl as the owl rests on a brick wall.

In closing I’d just like to say that this one really has me stumped. I’ve looked everywhere that I can think of for information, and am hoping that one of you may recognize the piece or know something about it. Thank you all, for your very kind assistance.

George Webb


Moderator: George's pictures added for him after resizing
Title: Re: ID Help With Pressed Glass Cheese Dish
Post by: Sid on October 27, 2007, 06:01:21 PM
Hello George:

This cheese dish is called "Owl and Pussycat".  It is a singleton - there are no other associated pieces.  There is no proof as to the maker but it likely was Adams & Co. of Pittsburgh, PA.  This tentative attribution is based on the design similarities to the Actress pattern cheese dish.  The Actress pattern was introduced by Adams in late 1879 as their "Opera" set.

There is a design feature common to all of the Actress pieces - there is a shell on all of the pieces.

Title: Re: ID Help With Pressed Glass Cheese Dish
Post by: Georgeinthehat on October 29, 2007, 11:59:59 AM
Thanks Sid! I really appreciate your kind assistance.

George