Topic: possible Davidson pressed 'hobnail' cheese bell.

[Paul S.]

I've posted here, since other companies also produced a 'hobnail' pattern - and I understand that Davidson themselves made variations (in subsequent years) on the original 1890 design.       Regrettably, neither part carries a Rd. No. or other trademark, so no help there.     On both the ground foot rim and the bottom rim of the cover, there is considerable matt wear showing  -  and in view of the flat ground foot rim I'd guess at least prior to 1940  -  and the quality of the moulding is not particularly crisp, so might have been made some considerable time after the mould was produced.     Diameter of dish is about 8.75"/220mm, and overall height is something like 6.5"/165mm.       From memory this is the first pressed cheese bell that I recall having seen (assuming that is what the piece is) - they are certainly scarce for some particular reason, and presumably a C19 item rather than the much more common cheese dish that our mothers used.  Do people think this one might be Davidson, or is it not really possible to say.   thanks for looking

[Paul S.]

I had also meant to say something like........did the original Davidson 1890 hobbail suite include a cheese bell.?.....but I forgot :pb:

[antiquerose123]

Not sure, but kinda reminds me of this item that I have: http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,34876.0.html  Are yours more dots shaped, or have some edges to the circles (a bit) as I can not tell for sure

Just kinda remind me of it....That is all....     :thud:

[Paul S.]

thanks Rose  -  and regret that I'm not too well up on these patterns - and although at first it seemed that yours and mine were the same, looked at closely there is in fact an overall difference in layout of the pattern.      I think this 'Hobnail' design has arguably been one of the most common patterns on pressed glass (more so prior to mid C20.    As much as anything else I was intrigued by the scarcity of these bells, as opposed to ordinary cheese dishes.
Edit.........Pleased to say that I have in fact just found confirmation that this piece was in fact a Davidson design - called, quite possibly - 'Cheese Stand No. 2', and was part of the original 'Hobnail Suite'.      Now, whether my OH will ever use the piece remains to be seen