Topic: Registered designs 1870s &1880s from Max Sugar, London – info, please?

[agincourt17]

I recently came across this pressed glass flower trough bearing the design registry date lozenge for 1 March 1881- Parcel 8.

(Permission to re-use these images on the GMB granted by pottersboy2014).

The lozenge corresponds to design registration number 362318, the registrant being Max Sugar, 6 and 7 Thavies Inn, Holborn, London.

I can’t recall ever having seen an example of this design before (or any other designs registered by Max Sugar), but I am told that it is shown in Colin Lattimore’s book on pressed glass, though I have mislaid my copy and am unable to check.

A quick scan through The National Archives online summaries for Max Sugar design registrations has revealed 7 registered designs as follows:

As Max Sugar, with an address at 75 Blackfriars Road, SE
RD 309695  26 April 1877  Class 3 (glass)  Flower basket
RD 309765  28 April 1877 Class 3 (glass)  Army and Navy flower stand

at 6 & 7 Thavies Inn, Holborn London
RD 362318  1 March 1881  Class 3 (glass)  No subject (but flower trough as posted above)
RD 372967  8 November 1881  Class 3 (glass)   No subject

at Waltham Buildings, Holborn Circus, London (and described as Manufacturers)
RD 10595  2 August 1884  Class 4 (glass, earthenware &c.)   No subject
RD 10596  2 August 1884  Class 1 (metalware)   No subject

as Max Sugar and Company, Glass Manufacturer, of Waltham Buildings, Holborn Circus, London EC. 
RD 11344  15 August 1884  Class 4 (glass, earthenware &c.)   Shape of boat flower vase.

Does anyone have any more detailed information about Max Sugar or his business activities, or have any photos to show of his RDs in addition to 362318?

Fred. 

[neilh]

Both myself and a fellow collector have come across what looks like an unregistered variation of this, with legs and a different pattern on the body. Having checking it carefully for number of ridges along the bottom, frills round the edge etc, it is identical to the registered one so we feel it has to be Max Sugar. I have done a density test and it comes in too high for a northeast piece. A rare example of London pressed glass.

[flying free]

An incredible find then Neil.  Thanks for showing it on the board.
m

[thewingedsphinx]

Hi Neil, I’ve been able to take these photos today of both these together from one of my mother’s cabinets, they are the same size apart from the legs, these come out of a cabinet full of similar pressed glass but from a touchy feely kind of thing I would say they are likely to be from the same maker due to their weight, texture etc they’re different from the north east glass, cheers Mike