Topic: Sherdley (United Glass Bottle Co) bowls

[Anne E.B.]

Just out of interest, I bought this set of fruit bowls this morning which I believe were made by Sherdley Glass (UGB Ltd).  I now know that UGB made my amber hexagonal bowl reg.no.810280  (many thanks to Bernard, Glen, Marcus, Anne and Chris).  I would imagine that this also was sold under the Sherdley Glass banner.  (UGB doesn't have quite the same sales appeal).   I was a little curious to know what else they might have made, when I came across an eBay listing for a magazine advert for Sherdley Glass.  There it was, my fruit bowl set.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItem&item=7372120944

The advert is dated 1949 and its a little difficult to see the text, but it says "Sherdley glassware for export (United Glass Manufacturers Ltd).  It may well have Johnsen & Jorgensen Flint Glass Ltd - Distributors for Sherdley Glass also, but the text is too small to make out.  I have also recently seen an eBay auction (with no attribution) for what is I believe a small matching jug - probably for cream, and possibly intended to be used with the bowl set.

Small fruit bowls.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/sherdley.jpg

I'm not sure how old my set actually is.  It might well be that this design was made for many years and continued to be made when Sherdley became Ravenhead in 1964 - who knows?

[Anne]

Oooohh interesting Anne. I have seen somewhere this noted as being a design made especially for Woolworth's stores. Let me see if I can find that ref again.

I have one of the small dessert bowls in the kitchen still.     http://yobunny.org.uk/gallery1/displayimage.php?pos=-346
Another advert here as well, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7385431770 giving the pattern name as Nordic.

[ChrisStewart]

Hi Anne,

It is the Nordic pattern and is probably my favourite Sherdley design. It might not be original to Sherdley, as I'm sure I have seen this pattern in a European manufacturers catalogue. It was first produced either just. before or just after the war - I cannot remember which.

The advert is interesting as it says glassware for export. At this time Britain was desparate for foriegn currency and various regulations meant that most glassware (and pottery) was made for the overseas market. There was very little for the home market

Regards

Chris

[Anne E.B.]

Many thanks Anne and Chris

Its always good to find not just an attribution, but a design name also.  'Nordic' fits well - its pretty cool looking with its clear and frosted design.

Many thanks for your interesting comments Chris.

By the way, I haven't had chance to say how much I enjoy your new book.  I've just I.D'd another piece - a small Jacobean tumbler (reg.no.791409)