Topic: Thomas Webb 'Envoy Suite'

[David E]

Out of interest, I have just discovered that the designer of the Webb's Envoy suite was Robert Yorke Goodden, whose name has appeared in connection with Chance's Spiderweb, Lotus and the heavily Art Deco inspired ashtrays.

Source: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/name/goodden-robert-york/829/

Not sure if it had been recorded before.

[Paul S.]

unfortunate that the V. & A. don't currently have any on-line images of this design for viewing - I don't recall seeing this pattern before, although may have clocked it and forgotten.
Shame - I was in said gallery at the beginning of the week, and could have sneaked a look.

Is it possible someone can post a pic. or is Envoy in a book somewhere?

[David E]

'Tis annoying, but there's also a link here:
http://vads.ac.uk/diad/article.php?title=215&article=d.215.28

Takes some searching, so here's a cutting:

Design 1966 Journal

Modern cut full lead crystal wine suites are gracing the tables of modern British embassies in Belgrade, Lagos, Accra and Warsaw. Thomas Webb's Envoy suite, commissioned by the Ministry of Public Building and Works from a design by Professor Robert Goodden of the Royal College of Art, illustrates how full lead crystal can take its place in the modern way of life.

[Paul S.]

the answer to the original question is yes, it had been recorded previously as being from this designer  -  and the answer to my query as to whether it had appeared in a book, pictorially, is also yes.
See Charles Hajdamach's 'C20 British Glass' - page 305 top right.

The cutting is rather simplistic, and appears to be a form of slanting blazes that were a common type of decoration on Georgian/Regency decanters - obviously no intention to rival the progressive designs of Hammond or Luxton.
I'm not aware of having seen the pattern on my travels - but no doubt British embassies are awash with them - so if you go on holiday to Belgrade.............