Topic: ID Manufacture date Sowerby shoe

[Keencollector]

I am interested in date of manufacture of my Sowerby shoe.  It looks like a man's boot with cat on top and is hollow underneath where there is a  Sowerby swan mark.  It has lovely tread to side base of boot and bootlace hanging down.  Unfortunately has damage to both ears of cat.  Measures 3 inches high and almost 5 inches in width and is frosted on outside.

Thanks, Keencollector. 

[Paul S.]

hi.............must admit I know nothing about a 'swan' mark for this factory - believe the Sowerby trade mark is referred to, usually, as the 'peacock head'  -  a picture of which I've attached.           Ignore the work patent.

[Keencollector]

Thanks for your interest Paul S.

 Don't know why I called it a swan.  Boot with cat does have the Sowerby peacock mark as in your photo but doesn't have any diamond mark.

[Paul S.]

o.k., so we are speaking of the same trade mark then.

must admit I know nothing about this Sowerby 'boot'  - but will have a look through the CD catalogue today if I get the time.            We have people here who are vastly more knowedgeable about this factory - we can only hope that they might be able to help.

[Keencollector]

I have tried to capture the Sowerby peacock mark in this photo.  Is quite light but hope you can see it ok.

[Paul S.]

regret that I'm unable to find this in the catalogues - which doesn't mean it wasn't a Sowerby design, but it's not something that is apparent.
Sowerby produced several traditional looking 'shoes' in press-moulded glass during the latter part of the C19, but nothing looking remotely like this, and as a novelty shoes seem to have disappeared around the beginning of the C20.                      Despite the fact that your shoe has the Sowerby trade mark, it is very unlike the Victorian examples.

Novelty shoes such as yours are more likely to be a C20 product from the States - Westmoreland apparently did a 'puss-in-a-boot' some time c. 1980's. although it's not the same design as yours.

Regret we didn't reach a conclusion.

[Keencollector]

That's disappointing news.  I am sure the seller described it as Victorian.  I suppose they believed it was, as it had peacock mark, as I did also.  Your help is much appreciated.

[Lustrousstone]

See here http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,17898.msg103478.html#msg103478 which I think makes it Victorian

[Keencollector]

Well that is great to finally find out it is definitely Sowerby Victorian.  I have Book IX but don't have Book XI.

You are a clever lady.  Thanks.

[Paul S.]

thanks for remembering and contributing Christine - it's a shame that others who, with their knowedge of Sowerby, and who were involved in the original post were unable offer assistance.

I've been back through Murray and Lattimore, and this item isn't shown in either that I can see - neither can I see this in the CD copy of Pattern Book XI - I've no doubt missed it, and would be grateful if someone will say which page it's on.            I don't know if UKGLASS posted a scan from an original or facsimile of Book XI.
It doesn't appear to occur in Simon Cottle's book - he seems to have included only those items that were linked to Board of Trade Rd. Nos., and I believe we are told this was not Registered.

Anyway glad we have the answer.