Topic: Frosted Greek key creamer - ? Molyneaux Webb ?

[Anne E.B.]

Am I correct in thinking this small creamer is by Molyneaux Webb?
TIA 

[David E]

Very similar to the one shown here:

http://sites.google.com/site/molwebbhistory/Home/gallery

 

[Anne E.B.]

I spotted that one, but the more I look, the less certain I become.  The M.&.W. key pattern goes from left to right, whereas the key patt. on my creamer goes the opposite direction (if that makes sense :huh:) and is simpler.  Back to the drawing board methinks...

[Anne]

In Jenny Thompson's The Identification of English Pressed Glass, page 71, plate 41 shows the same tazza attributed to Molyneux Webb as on the website but with the Greek Key pattern reversed!  So, did MW make both versions? Is someone else responsible for one but avoiding plagiarism charges by reversing it? Or did the photo go into the book reversed? There is another footed bowl in Thompson on page 66, plate 24, which goes the same way as the website one. Confused? Yes! 

James Derbyshire and Greener also made Greek Key patterns but they are not the same as yours either,  Anne, as did Davidson (RD no 224171 - see page 139 Davidson Glass, a history, Chris & Val Stewart) but that's slightly different again.

I seem to recall Sowerby did a Greek Key pattern too, would be worth checking Glen's CDs for that if you have them. 

[Anne E.B.]

Very confusing I agree

If its in Glen's CD, then it must be in the new Vol.III which I haven't as yet got, as its not in Vol.I Victoria to George V.  I must get a copy!
Its very different from the one shown on p.139 of Davidson Glass - a history (Stewart & Stewart).  However, looking thru' the book, I think I might have ID'd a piece which is from Davidson's "Daisy" Suite.  That also has a Greek key pattern.  Also, a Sowerby "Oxford" fruit bowl from Glen's Vol.II so all is not lost.

[neilh]

The creamer on my website was bought by my cousin off eBay and was sold as a Molineaux & Webb piece. My cousin subsequently checked the date lozenge which matched up to the date of a Molineaux & Webb registered design pattern, so we're as sure as we can be that the one I've put up at  http://sites.google.com/site/molwebbhistory/Home/gallery  is Molineaux & Webb.

I've yet to see a Greek Key pattern on a Molineaux & Webb piece like the one shown in the first post of this thread.

[Anne]

Neil, thanks for confirming that, it's very helpful.

[neilh]

Aha, now I have seen that style of Greek Key on a Molineaux & Webb item. I have a few images from the pattern book and in a section dating from the 1860s, there is a water jug and goblet that bears the same Greek Key pattern, enclosed by two thin horizontal lines above and below the Greek Key. The water jug and goblet bear no other similarities to your piece in shape or design, and I'm not aware of them actually registering a design with that style of Greek Key. I have read that the pattern book does not contain any examples of pressed glass.

[Anne E.B.]

Thanks Neil