Topic: Art Nouveau Wrythen Decanter - Powell or Walsh Walsh ???

[Novasonic]

Hi

I picked up this decanter last week, the guy who sold it to me showed me a pic of it in a 2000 Millers Antiques Guide and it basically said it was James Powell & Sons or Walsh Walsh, Edwardian.  Since buying it & conducting more research - some sources suggest J P & Sons & others Walsh Walsh.  David Leigh's book states James Powell as well.  So I AM PRETTY Confused !!!

No damage, with the exception of one tiny bruise on the main body - also any ballpark idea of value

Any help appreciated - it's a beautiful piece !

Regards

Rob

[nigel benson]

Hello Rob,

This decanter has never been conclusively attributed to any manufacturer or designer. In some instances it has been suggested that it is by James Powell & Sons, however this has not been based on any documentation. To date there have been no archive documents showing it as Powell, or indeed Walsh Walsh.

Loosely, it is likely to be a Stourbridge company based on its style. Those companies include, Richardsons, Thomas Webb, Stuart & Sons, but given a recent find by me that was marked Webb Corbett, we cannot now omit them!!

Oh, if you're thinking that these would have been marked, it is likely that this design would have been pre back-stamps.

Nigel

[Novasonic]

Thank you for your response Nigel.  I guess it will be a mystery for now then.

Regards

Rob