Topic: Thomas Webb Large Cameo Vases - one unfinished

[bristolblueglass]

Are they signed? The shapes don't match anything in the sketch books shown in Grover and Grover

I don't remember seeing any sort of signature on the bottom. I will hopefully find out a little bit more about them tomorrow when I receive their descriptions.

[bristolblueglass]

Here are some thoughts from the owner of the vases...

As to the new Cameo Vases, I'm confident in my mind that what has happened is that the flaw in the turquoise glass was discovered after the cutters had started, which may account for why it was abandoned. I have not seen a flaw in the citron vase yet, but there may be one. The other possibility is that these were trial vases, for a new shape design, and they decided not to proceed with them. Although they are not signed, there is no doubt they are Webbs.

[glassobsessed]

Does the owner cite why "there is no doubt"?

John

[scimiman]

I dont think there can be any doubt whatsoever that they are Webbs.
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk

[Lustrousstone]

Why Mike? I think you need documentary evidence or a signed piece for proof, especially as these don't appear to be a known shape. Has anyone checked the pattern against known Webb designs?

[scimiman]

I just rely on my experience over the years. There was no one else around that produced Cameo work the same way that Webbs did. The actual carving is pure Webb and the colourways are also Webb.

[chopin-liszt]

I'm not remotely up on Webb, but this sort of work is not remotely beyond the capabilities of Helen Millard - whose contemporary Cameo work, (in my not very humble or particularly experienced opinion) far exceeds the standards of anybody in the past.
I'm not saying they're not Webb, just pointing out at least one maker who could easily have made something of this quality.

[scimiman]

Sorry cant agree with Helen Millard being on par with what Webbs produced.
However and I do have to declare an interest if you look at the work of Terri L Colledge you are getting near to what was produced by Webbs way back then.
So close in fact that when I sadly had a piece of her work broken the insurance company would not believe that the piece was modern but was indeed a piece of Webbs.
After showing them Terris work they were astonished that there was someone as skilled as Terri capable of being able to produce such works of art.
Couple that with the news that Terri together with Richard P. Golding have been commissioned to produce a copy of the Portland Vase for the International Glass Festival in August 2012 is testament to their unique capabilities.
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk

[chopin-liszt]

I don't know her work, Mike - but I do know you have a slight personal bias for anything Okra-related!!!!!!
(I'm just teasing, hope you don't mind. I have my own biases, naturally.)

[scimiman]

Heres a link to some of her work.  http://www.abfabglass.co.uk/page22.html

Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk