Topic: SOWERBY ELEPHANT DISH

[David E]

I currently have three dishes that have handles shaped like an elephant's head with trunk.

I understand these are Sowerby, but would like to know how many different varieties there are. Currently I have three: amber, green and pale-blue, each having a different style.

Go to: http://www.cortex-design.co.uk and click 'glass' (unsurprisingly!)

Note that the green vaseline colour is slightly stronger, and the blue colour slightly weaker. Any help much appreciated, as always.

Over to you Bernard?  :lol:

[David E]

Quick preview of handle detail!

http://www.encill.abelalways.co.uk/ebay/sowerby-amber2.jpg

[Tony]

Hi David
We are out in the wilderness on our own!!
I have tried your link on web site but when I click on glass a flag appears  Error  
A Runtime Error has occurred
Do you wish to Debug?
Line 59
Error 'spareon' is undefined

I have tried to Debug but does not work. so I cannot see your photo, but looking at the quick preview I am sure it is Sowerby Pattern 2614, this did come with a tailored black glass base.

My referance is an article. English Art Deco Pressed Glass. Part One; SOWERBY by Monica & Peter Cadwell.It is in "Marking Times" The Journel of the Pressed Glass Collectors Club No. 28 Winter 2001.
I would like to find Monica & Peter as I belive they have a wide knowledge of this type of glass.
I have seen 2614 in two sizes, also in clear and green uranium.

Tony H inNZ

[David E]

Hi Tony,

Yes, it has been a bit quiet but perhaps holidays are starting to kick in?

Anyway, I have tried my Web site and everything appears to work fine, so try this direct address:

http://www.encill.abelalways.co.uk/pages/glass.html

Does sound like a browser problem objecting to some code, but it's pretty straightforward HTML throughout. I might start a glass web site at some stage when time permits!

But many thanks for confirming the Sowerby number. Interesting also that you confirm that there is clear version (I have a very pale 'ice' blue) and have yet to discover clear ones. The Uranium one, I imagine, must be quite scarce?

If you do manage to see my Web page then I can confirm there are three different shapes: the green and blue are very similar in size, while the amber is much larger and without a plinth.

If anyone does have a picture of the black glass base Tony mentions, I would be grateful for it.

David

[paradisetrader]

I currently have three dishes that have handles shaped like an elephant's head with trunk

David
Only one pic is ok - the other links are no longer valid.
Were all 3 confirmed as Sowerby ?

[Tramonto]

I have a small milk / cream jug with the elephant handle which is made in clear glass.  The bowls turn up quite often on ebay but I haven't seen a jug anywhere yet.  I'm assuming it is Sowerby piece?

[Leni]

I have seen the milk jug in that peachy-pink* and assumed it was Sowerby.  It appears to be the same pattern as my (green) 'sugar' bowl.  

*I almost bought it, but it was too badly chipped even for me!   :shock:  :roll: (On the other hand, if it had been in green I might have bought it even with the chips!  Are they as rare as they seem to be?  Compared with the bowls, that is, of which I have seen plenty.)

[Bernard C]

David et al — I don't know how I missed this one, but better late ....

The 2614 range is as follows:

1. Large 8" unfooted bowl, flared shape.   This came with a matching 4" 2444 flower block (very similar to the Davidson semi-dome).   Known colours are Amber, Blue, Green, and Rosalin (Sowerby's name for their variable pink).   Like many Sowerby patterns it may exist in Flint (uncoloured) but I have not seen one.   Other colours are possible.

This came on a specially made magnificent black waisted plinth which sets it off perfectly.   The plinth is unnumbered, so we don't know whether it was known as 2614, an adjacent number like 2615, or something completely different.   I have only seen the one version of this plinth.

2. Standard footed bowl, flared shape.   This came with a matching 2½" or 3" 2444 flower block (I will tell you which when I next unpack a set).   Known colours are Amber, Blue and Green.   It was probably made in Rosalin and possibly in Flint and other colours.

This came on a standard multi-purpose black plinth.   I think that it was just the one shape, unlike the 2606, known in at least three slightly different shapes.   I will confirm numbering and numbering variations when I next check my stock.

3. Standard footed bowl, slightly cupped shape (same mould as #2).   Known colours are Amber, Blue, Green, Rosalin and Flint.   It may have been made in other colours.   I believe that this was sold as a sugar bowl.   I have seen this offered as part of a two- or three-piece flower set, but never from a completely reliable source.

4. Cream jug.   Known colours are Amber, Blue, Green, Rosalin and Flint.   It may have been made in other colours.   Its scarcity in comparison with the sugar bowl may simply reflect the popularity of the sugar bowl with the catering trade.

5. Tray.   Only known in Flint as part of a three-piece set, sugar, cream and tray.    I have had just one set through my hands and have seen only one other.   This is a magnificent item, certainly created by same designer as the 2552 (butterflies) trinket set tray.    Why it did not sell in quantity is a complete mystery to me.   If the mould was damaged, why did they not make another?   If it was a client commission / exclusive, why did the client not sell them by the truckload?

I would be grateful for the missing information if someone has it to hand, as it saves me finding the right box and unpacking it.

Bernard C.  

[Bernard C]

Sorting out for the MK fair, found the standard set plinth.   It is marked, and you will be less than astonished to know that it is "2614 S".   A mid-1950s Sowerby catalogue refers to it as "S2614" and to the waisted gem for the large set as "B2614".

Both were available separately and for use with other sets they fitted, as were all circular Sowerby plinths.

The block for the standard set was 2½".

I will have all these on display, including the complete large pink elephants set, at the MK fair later this week.   Unmissable for plinth enthusiasts!   Free parking after 6.00 pm.

Bernard C.  

[Tigerchips]

Here's a pink one!


I'm seeing pink elephants again.  :lol: