Topic: Boxed Harlequin Enamelled Cocktail Glasses by E.B. ID = Edward Bowman, London

[Bernard C]

Link to GlassGallery set of images, each with click to enlarge feature, here.

Individual GlassGallery images:

View of glasses in open box

Composite image of enamel signature, glass label, and box label

View of open box

Individual glass

Individual Glass showing its thickness by comparing the enamelling with its reflection on the inside of the bowl

Glass:  optic 12-rib bowl, h. 2¾" 7cm, rim d. 2½" 6.5cm, w. 4¼oz 122g.
Full box:  10¼ x 8 x 3", 26 x 20 x 7.5cm, w. 2lb 7oz 1113g.
Glass label:  d. 5/8" 1.7cm.
Box label:  1¾ x 1 1/8" 4.3 x 2.7cm.

Top quality throughout.   For example the box hinge is strong fabric with no sign of wear.   The glasses are much heavier than you'd expect, with a nicely optic 12-ribbed bowl.   No pontil scar.

I haven't found a likely enameller with the initials E.B. of a mid C20 date, although Frank lists a Transfer Maker in his topic Transfer printing - techniques and companies of an earlier date — E. Buvelot, Lyon (1907 data).   Of course E.B. could have commissioned the entire glass manufacture from a British glassworks, which would have solved the problem of firing on the transfers.

... and what is the decoration, apart from a male and female figure with a couple of tufts of grass?   No pail of water, so it can't be Jack & Jill.   I'm not even sure of the costumes.   Dutch?   Spanish?   Welsh?

Any ideas?

Thanks for your interest,

Bernard C. 

[Bernard C]

Correction.

These delightful cocktail glasses were not decorated by transfer, but were hand painted.   They all differ slightly, and you can see the brush strokes.   There's no sign of any mark-up.

This set is serious high quality, and must have been expensive.

Bernard C. 

[Greg.]

Hi Bernard,

The following thread may be of interest....

http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php?topic=45623.0

Greg

[orangeglass]

Is that possibly Robin Hood on the label - could that suggest anything to do with Nottingham?

Not sure on the costumes though!

Okay, just ignore that - crossed post - just an archer! 

[Bernard C]

Roberta — I am always interested in ideas when trying to solve a mystery.   The more you get the sooner the real story comes out.   Thanks.

Greg — Brilliant.   The box it was in was the next into the car for tomorrow, so I dug the set out and relabelled it.   Thanks.

Bernard C. 

[Bernard C]

Note the differences between the two sets of glasses, both of the same basic design.   This set is harlequin, the other is all one colour scheme.   This has nothing in the sky, the other has clouds and birds.

I hope some saw it yesterday at the National.   Unsurprisingly it sold mid afternoon.

Thanks again for your help, Greg.

Bernard C.