Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. > British & Irish Glass

Sowerby Pea Blossom Glass

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ChrisStewart:
Hi,
     Does anybody know what styles etc Sowerby made in Pea Blossom Glass?

Regards

Chris

Angela B:
Hi Chris,
could you help get us started by showing us an example?
All the best
Angela

ChrisStewart:
Hi,
     In 1890 a form of 'natural glass' was discovered. Sowerby were appointed sole agents of this material. In July 1890 Sowerby advertised 'Pea Blossom Glass' made from this 'Natural Glass'.

What this mineral was and what Sowerby made using it I do not know, hence the question on the message board. The mineral was supposed to contain all of the elements which form the components of glass (silex, flux etc) and was much cheaper to melt than ordinary glass mix.

Regards

Chris

Bernard C:
Chris,

This is most intriguing.

The mystery to me is what is the point of advertising something if you do not give your potential customers any idea of what it is and what benefits it will bring them!   Or could it have been advertising along the lines of "Watch this space - it's something amazing - more to follow ...", rather like a new car wrapped up in a white sheet.

The alternative is that in 1890 those that this advertising was aimed at knew what Pea Blossom Glass was.   A possible parallel to the Marquis of Lorne saga, and its misinterpretatation by modern historians, failing to fully appreciate the prevailing context.

Could it have been advertising in connection with their production of stained glass windows?   ... or some type of industrial product, such as containers for corrosive chemicals, electrical insulators or battery components?   ... or imitation precious stones used in costume jewelry (someone had to make them)?

Best of luck, Bernard C.

louisc4me:
Hello Folks,
I will chime in here as a new comer to the group thanks to Ivo.  The only natural material glass material that I am aware of is obsidian...volcanic glass.  It is a very dark green when found thin enough to let ;ight pass through.  It is concivable that a small amount of this was use in a diluted state to produce a glass of a lighter green color as well as having the potential for the advertising ploy.  I find this subject very interseting, because when Mt. St Helens erupted in the 1980's in Washington state, Bullseye glassworks gathered the ash, and melted it into a glass which they used to press iridescent green volcano ashtrays.
Regards,
David D.

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