Topic: decanter or water jug?

[neilh]

This water jug is very close to matching pattern 7043 in the Molineaux Webb pattern book - only the 4 leaf clover on the body and the twisty handle differentiate them. Pattern 7043 was made about 1865 give or take a year so is a good indication as to when the piece above was made. 7043 came in 4 varieties, one as a decanter with stopper, and 3 variants of unstoppered water jug, one very squat with a matching goblet, one less squat and a longer one which didn't have a round top - more of a tip & pour teapot top (grrr - what's the word for this, brain addled today).

The pattern varied a little on 3 of the pieces, and substantially on the other, using a Greek Key around the body but still categorised under 7043 pattern number.

It is indeed very difficult to match these to a maker. After 5 or so years with the M&W pattern book I have hardly found an exact match for anything, and suspect many cut pieces were one offs, even if they made it into the book.

[brucebanner]

Fantastic, what a description, i thought it a water jug when i picked it up, it's absolutely beautiful and will stay with me, thanks for your's and everyone's help.

[Paul S.]

thanks for the comments regarding lead content of earlier pressed glass, which I probably didn't know.        According to Ray. Slack, Sowerby did contine to use small amounts of oxide of lead in their pressed glass, apparently it helps to improve the refractive property of the glass giving a bit more sparkle.
There is a very notieable difference in sound, obviously, when flicking pressed glass as compared to full lead crystal, and who knows, maybe Chris does have a full lead crystal pressed glass cake stand