Topic: Webb Flair question.

[keith]

Just seen this on ebay, see link, I've had this 'bowl' for a while and with the flat polished base didn't think it was part of the range until now, any thoughts please,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superb-c1960s-large-THOMAS-WEBB-Cased-Amethyst-Blown-BUBBLE-Glass-FLAIR-VASE-/261484599836?pt=UK_Art_Glass&hash=item3ce1b25a1c

[Paul S.]

must admit Keith that all of my flair range pieces (mostly tall beaked vases with only one bowl) have the circular depression, and not a flat base, and amethyst not a colour I'd seen in the known range.
Doesn't appear the CH mentions this colour, but suppose there's always going to be smaller run items.
Other than that it does look to be o.k., but not my area, so will leave to you and David

[chopin-liszt]

 
"Flair" was made by sticking a wet poker into the glass - it wasn't blown. I can't see how this bowl would have been made with a wet stick, but perhaps is was just further manipulated to make the bowl shape, as a blown piece would have been.
I just don't feel it's quite right for "Flair".

[David E]

Just back from Holland!

As you know, I have quite a large collection, including the large bowl in ruby. I have also been following that other one on eBay, but the price is triple what I would be willing to pay. However, mine measures 13¾ (35cm) across, so quite a beast, but does not have a flat base. The amethyst colour I have seen and yours looks a little like Flair, but I'm also not sure.

One thing I do know is that there are some oddities in the Flair range. I am in touch occasionally with Peter Robinson who worked at Webb during the 1960s and he even has some of the pieces that didn't quite make it, or were experimental, or "mutants" as Peter calls them!  I'll see if he wants to join in as I believe he's been on GMB before. It could be that yours is a mutant?

[keith]

Thanks for all the comments, so mutant it is, David, could you ask your friend to have a look at this one also, polished pontil mark on this one....

[David E]

That does look like Webb Flair to me. I will mail Peter tomorrow

[glassobsessed]

I have seen an amber bowl with etched signature in a shop, I will try and get a photo. From memory the shape differs only slightly, perhaps it is a bit deeper than Keith's original post.

John

[David E]

Flair can differ quite noticeably - sometimes radically - so there are normally obvious variances between the same styled item. I imagine your siting was the same style as Keith's. If the price is right, I might be interested, John!

[glassobsessed]

I think the price may not be right David, somewhere around ninety or a hundred I think it was. It is in a small antiques shop that stocks a remarkably wide range of interesting glass: http://www.granbyantiques.com/aboutus.html

I should be able to call in there tomorrow.

[David E]

Eek, items on eBay never reach those sums... Never mind, thanks anyway. The more I look at Keith's, the more I think it is Flair - probably not a mutant, but without the backstamp perhaps it was a second?

I've just mailed Peter, so his comments will be welcome.