Topic: Stevens and Williams Mat-Su-No-Ke

[flying free]

There have been a few posts on the board regarding items described as Mat-Su-No-Ke that aren't.  I also found over the last few years that there were items on the net described as Mat-Su-No-Ke that are not, so I'm adding this for reference.

In Gulliver's Victorian Decorative Glass British Designs 1850-1914 on page 127 there is a picture of a vase in a larger shape than mine and with a base that the feet sit on (mine have no base).  The information given is that it is registered design number 15353 dated October 18, 1884 for floral decoration called Mat-Su-No-Ke (The spirit of the pine tree).
On Page 266 it shows the design drawing registered.

I've attached pictures showing the pine tree decoration and also the prunt over the pontil mark for reference.  The base is slightly pleated where it goes into the pontil mark.  It's beautifully made.

The last picture shows a Stuart vase c1885 with applied decoration.  It is also internally optically ribbed and has a very large applied raspberry prunt over the pontil mark. The base is also slightly 'pleated' where it goes in towards the pontil.   There is a significant difference in colour between the two when viewed side by side  ... I prefer the superb red of the the Stuart piece   I actually prefer the Stuart piece.  I love their work.
m

[Lustrousstone]

You have to actually attach the pix M 

[flying free]

  the pic was too large so had to resize
now attached
m

[bOBA]

Lovely pieces. I believe that there are many examples of this style of glass on display at Broadfield House in Kingswinford, near Stourbridge at the moment, at least there were a couple of weeks ago. The display is in the exhibition space they use for displays that are only there usually for a few months. It is a large cabinet filled with fine examples, including items sometimes described as peachblow type as well as this particular type of glass. Very fine examples of these types of locally made glass, unlikely to be easily seen elsewhere.

If interested in seeing a hoard of this type of glass, now may be the time to go to Broadfield to have a look! Do check availability and opening etc... usually 12-4 Tuesday to Sunday.


Robert

[flying free]

If you can get there, Broadfield House is a must - the collection is just fantastic.
m

[keith]

More great finds M,last time at Broadfield House I asked if I could 'borrow' one of the cameo vases,just for a while,they said no,well you don't ask etc...

[flying free]

  Keith - I'd be too afraid to have it in the house.
And thanks Boba and Keith I think they are lovely pieces.  I could have added a superb piece of Stuart at the glass fair (if I'd had the money) - I really love quite a lot of Stuart glass, the precise 'ness' (can't think of any other way to describe them) of the designs and the intensity  of the colours.
m