Topic: Royal Brierley Crystal shop shelf sign — Maker? — Date?

[Bernard C]

Images:-

Front

Side, showing integral stand

This must date from after about 1930, when Stevens & Williams started trading under the name Royal Brierley, but how long after?

It could have been made by S&W/RB, as they may have had a hand press, but the glass is perhaps too bubbly.   Another option was a pressed glass specialist, like Sowerby, Davidson, Jobling, Bagley, Wood Bros, &c.   Possibly most likely was an advertising specialist like Nazeing.

Note the width, an exact 6".

Your opinions, please.

Bernard C. 

[Frank]

It is also possible that it was an non-UK company St Gobain made cast glass of this type, is it cast rather than pressed?

[Bernard C]

Frank — Thanks.   It depends what you mean by cast.   It must have been moulded with the front uppermost, to stop the glass falling out of the stand.   The back surface is flat, as you would expect from a metal mould.   The front is recessed about 2mm with a moulded relief border around the edge, but within the border the surface undulates slightly as though it was a natural, cast surface, quite different in character to the back.   So, Frank, if it was cast, how did they stop the molten glass falling out of the front 2mm of the bordering frame?   Skyhooks?

Bernard C. 

ps — for those who can't remember, skyhooks are what hold up anything with no visible means of support, like birds, butterflies, aeroplanes, the moon, stars, and great-aunt Edith's hairstyle.   Ask any child.   

[Frank]

Casting can still involve a full mould but it is an area I am only just starting to uncover. The precise distinction from pressed being unclear at present, but bubbles in the glass seems to be an indicator.

[Bernard C]

Frank — I'm now convinced that it was cast, even though I can't work out the details.   Three reasons:-

The front surface inside the frame (described above), and

All the bubbles are spherical, whereas press-moulded bubbles are usually distorted, and

The front lower rim, under the "ND" of "ENGLAND" has distorted on cooling in a way impossible in a press-moulded piece.

Bernard C. 

[Frank]

Could come from anywhere, they most probably organised it through an agency.