Topic: Vaseline Opalescent Uranium Glass Vase - Thomas webb & Son ?

[Otis Orlando]

Hi, can someone help me with this large opalescent vaseline vase.  The design is very much like some of the Thomas Webb I've seen in the past and date it as a  possible 19thC piece.   This vase is yellow, that is, under incandescent lighting and has a greenish tinge when viewed outdoors.   This is the first time I have acquired a vaseline vase of this size.   Under UV lighting they appears to be a high concentration of Uranium content.  It has some irregularities with regard to the overall symmetry of the vase.  The vase measures approx. 19.3cm.   Opening, approx. 13cm @ widest point.   The pontil is concaved and polished and measures 4.3cm dia.  The base dia. is approx. 8.4cm and only 4.3cm width, meets a flat surface, as can be clearly seen in pictures.  My understanding and excuse my ignorance if not correct, is that, authentication of 19th Century vaseline glass was made under licence by Thomas Webb  & Son.  So my lines of thought, is that it could be a Thomas Webb vase.   There is, what I believe to be, etched markings to the base area.  The letters are not clear, due to the thickness of each letter.   I have tried searching for similar marking, but not found any leads.   I have taken multiple pictures and this is the best I can do.  The outer letters, read, MADE IN ENGLAND, I think.   The wording in the centre , which looks like a signature, reads itally.  Surely that can't be right?  I'm hoping someone will recognise this piece and tell me more about it.   The vase has a very high ring tone too.

[Otis Orlando]

Additional Pics.

[Bernard C]

Definitely Thomas Webb.   Dodsworth, BGbtW, 1987 dates this Webb mark to 1935–49, but you have to be a little cautious about the detail of this marks section as he was working from an unrepresentative museum collection containing a high proportion of "museum quality" pieces.

The general range was Webb's Gay Glass, introduced by the young designer Tom Pitchford in 1933.   The golden amber colour was called Sunshine, utilising a Swedish formula brought in by the general manager Sven Fogelberg on his move from Kosta in 1932.   More detail from BGbtW.

Bernard C. 

ps — Thos Webb measured their glass in inches.   

[bfg]

turn your 3rd pic on its head Otis, 180 degrees -  the word in the middle is Webb, the second b has a trail that underlines the whole word

in case you don't have the reference Bernard mentions scroll down this link to the Webb marks and you'll see it http://www.great-glass.co.uk/glass%20notes/markt-z.htm

[Lustrousstone]

Lovely vase but it is not opalescent and

My understanding and excuse my ignorance if not correct, is that, authentication of 19th Century vaseline glass was made under licence by Thomas Webb  & Son.

I don't know where you found this, but it is incorrect

[Otis Orlando]

Oh! That is great news.   Thank you all ever so much for your help.  It appears that some sources of information can sometimes be misleading.  That's why we've got you guys! .

I am curious as to whether Tom Pitchford acid etched his pieces with the same marking  as mine or was this entirely different  Bernard?

I did not notice this before, but I have just been to my storage cabinet to view the vase again and only opened the door unit slightly, whereupon I noticed that the vase was glowing green in particular areas, just with natural lighting that was let through.  Meaning, I didn't need to use a UV light.  Having removed it from the cupboard and positioned it at various angles, still under natural lighting the variants of depth of colour changes from yellow (sunshine) to green.  Stationary on a flat surface only, the rim area is green.  I just find this fascinating.  I suppose this is due to the pattern design, that allows the change in colour to resonate even more via. the glass.  On closer observation I have also noticed a seam that starts from the first top pattern and continues only 3/4 of the way down.  This is only on one side of the vase.  Is there any specific reason for this?

[Lustrousstone]

Tom Pitchford was a designer - an employee of Webb - so they were not his pieces. His work might only have been on paper.

[Otis Orlando]

Thanks Christine,   It's ashame these pieces were not signed by the actual maker.   Currently I am trying to narrow it down, as to who the possible maker might be and so far I have managed to find Frank Bridgens.  Some of his finished work had similar styles in design, but not sure if he too ventured into making coloured glass with uranium content.   I do not know how long he was a part of Thomas Webb, but since found out, that he departed in 1937.  I could be totally off track with this one, but, however, find it exuberating when closer to nailing the subject matter.

[chopin-liszt]

Looking at this Webb's Sunshine Amber vase from above, it looks as if it is the same wavy design (in a different shape, obviously) that is your mushroom posy - the one that makes the ribs look square, Christine. 
http://lustrousstone.co.uk/cpg/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pid=1802#top_display_media

[Otis Orlando]

I think there is something missing from that link Sue or is it me?