Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: popsmcchicken on August 31, 2005, 09:24:02 PM
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Hi All,
Though you might be interested in my latest find. I know I'm excited!
From what I have read, the original set was sold as mix-and-match pieces to a Posey Vase display; but, they ended up being used by most people simply as a table decoration.
The connecting pieces are 8 3/4" in length, 1 7/8" high and 1 7/8" wide. The Castles are 3 1/8" square. The overall display, as I have it displayed, measures 27" long and 12 3/4" deep. Every piece is marked with Rd 29780, which was assigned to Molineaux, Webb in July, 1885.
http://tinypic.com/bgyyok.jpg
Any other info would be much appreciate.
Pops
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Hello Pops. :D
I can't add anything I'm afraid, but what an interesting vintage piece of glass you're bought! It looks like it'll have an interesting story behind it, eh? :D
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Pops — I have a theory about this interesting set that it was inspired by General Charles Gordon's death at the end of the siege of Khartoum, capital of Sudan, on January 26, 1885. This was a period of world stability, so the news from Sudan attracted great interest, and Gordon became a national hero.
I usually find national heroes rather difficult to take, but Gordon seems to be an exception, as, while he was Administrator of Sudan, 1874–1880, he was instrumental in ending the slave trade in the country.
Whatever the actual history of this set, it would have been a poor marketing or sales executive who did not play the Gordon / Khartoum card to its fullest extent. You can imagine father and son on a Sunday afternoon spreading a sandy coloured cloth over the dining table and carefully setting out the fortifications. Then adding all the brightly painted cast lead actors – dozens of British soldiers, Arabs, palm trees, wells, Whirling Dervishes, camels, horses, field guns (which actually fired), a field hospital, etc., etc. "My turn to be General Gordon, Dad, and I'm going to win today."
I have only one piece of real evidence for this. The frequency with which odd pieces of this set turn up, usually badly chipped. Presumably from the family toy box. I am sure that Molineux, Webb & Co. made a small fortune over many years from this inspired product.
Sets like yours in superb condition are quite scarce. It looks to me as if just one fort from the original layout is missing, so your set was probably only used as a table decoration. It should not be too difficult to obtain a replacement fort — singles come up fairly frequently on eBay. Is yours the flint or opalescent version? I cannot tell from your photograph.
Finally, we celebrated my partner Janet's birthday, May 2nd this year, at the excellent open air Africa Arab restaurant, just a short walk from the Nile ferry on the west bank at Luxor. It is run by Ali, a good friend of my daughter, and a lovely gentleman. Purely by coincidence two other birthdays were being celebrated there that evening. One was a lady who was born on the same day as Janet; the other was a slightly younger family who had asked Ali to arrange the local folk band to entertain them. So tables were cleared away in front of the band, and eventually, well after the band had warmed up, a real Whirling Dervish arrived, kitted himself up with the detachable skirt and, boy, did he whirl. Wonderful. Audience participation was obligatory, so yours truly took part in an enthusiastic stick dance (very badly I hasten to add).
A great and unforgettable evening. So I have been there, experienced the real thing, and, therefore, all this must be true.
Bernard C. 8)
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Bernard, you are simply amazing! Whether or not your theory is correct, that is a great story. The color is French (clear) opalescent. I am attaching another pic, a close-up of one of the Castles, so that you can better see the color. The condition, although not perfect, is admirable. There are only two of the connecting pieces, and one castle, that has any damage at all. The two connecting pieces have one, very minor, flake each and an approximately 1/8" chip off the top of one of the, for lack of a better word, posts. The castle has one brick that has been chipped off. Where would the other Castle be positioned in the set? I have also seen a round piece, that basically looks like a donut. Do you know if that is also part of the set? I think it would look neat in the middle of the display, sort of like a mote with a Castle sitting inside.
http://tinypic.com/bhak3t.jpg
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Pops, Steve and I have a number of pieces in the set - and they are opalescent like yours. We have picked them up over time, but have never actually assembled them altogether! They are wonderfully versatile and can, of course, be put together in several different ways.
I think your set is truly magnificent. Congratulations - it looks superb. :lol:
Glen
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Pops — A similar set I saw a few years back had forts at each end, in between the two curved fortified walls, so that all the way around forts alternated with walls. I don't think it really matters — it is the condition and completeness of your set that is exceptional.
As a table centre it would have been laid out with perhaps a couple of epergnes in the centre. ... and I am using the word in its widest sense to mean any ornamental flower or foliage holder.
I've not seen the complete ring, and would welcome a photograph if any kind GMB member could oblige.
Bernard C. 8)
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Many thanks, Bernard. That would be an impressive site, with the epergne in the middle of the display.
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Glen,
Do you have any pieces that I do not have in the set? Do you by chance have the round piece, or have you ever seen one, or do you know if it's even from the same line?
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Pops - yes we have the complete ring (the donut shape). It's gorgeous. I'll ask Steve to take a photo for you and Bernard....it may be tomorrow or Saturday.
Glen
PS. Yes it is certainly from the same line - and it's opalescent.
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Glen — Please would you photograph the castellated ring with a fort inside it to give us an idea of scale; that is if you have a fort handy!
Thanks, Bernard C. 8)
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Bernard - sorry, no forts to hand, here in my neck of the woods. (Where's Davy Crocket when you need him, eh?) But I can put the ring alongside the curved piece, which will hopefully help. I'll have to wait for Steve to do the photos as I haven't yet mastered the new digital thingummywatchermacallit that he bought.
Glen
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Pops and Bernard - here are the photos of the opalescent ring.
http://tinypic.com/bipkid.jpg
Full ring
http://tinypic.com/bipkow.jpg
Ring placed alongside the long section
Glen
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Wow, Steve really is pretty good with that "thingummywatchermacallit". Thanks, Glen. That's the one I have seen. How great would that look sitting in the middle of my display? AWESOME, I believe!
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Hey Pops :lol: Yep, Steve's very good with the "thingummywatchermacallit". I'm better with pen and ink :shock:
It's a beautiful piece. Steve reckons we do have a fort somewhere! (In a box, packed, I guess).
Glen
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I'm fascinated by these... I've never seen them before at all - just the plain type of flower troughs. I had no idea they came as forts... aren't they fun!?
Bernard said they came in flint and opalescent... were they made in colours as well just out of interest? Does anyone have a flint one they could show a photo of? The opalescent one is a beauty.