Webb was a big mate of Wm. Morris, though I think he's probably better known for designing Morris and Janey's pad at Bexleyheath rather than designing drinking glasses, though obviously he did and they're precious things. Webb's genuine second half C19 thin clear glasses are to die for - wish I had some - unfortunately, like many other historic artistic features, tears/dabs have been copied over the years. Apart from these tears/dabs, do other aspects of the pieces shown here suggest that sort of age? I would have thought that period items would have a scar or polished pontil depression.
Appreciate it sounds like unwarranted criticism - especially in view of the similarity, and to someone who might lack knowledge of the period in question the appearance looks spot on, but on the face of it the chance that the op's glasses are genuine period Philip Webb designs is exceptionally unlikely, unless there's something we've not been told.
If it were simply a matter of similarity of design that was required for proof of provenance, then we'd all have some great glass.
With regard to the V. & A. reference above, it seems that Morris commissioned Powell's to make a series of plain glasses for which Webb was the designer, and some of Webb's original designs are included in Leslie Jackson's book - page 97 - plates 1 to 4, although only one piece is decorated with prunts/dabs - not tears as on the glasses here and the V. & A. example. None of the glasses shown in Jackson is a champagne saucer, though that's not to say Webb didn't design such a shape.
However, since anything is possible then would suggest that the V. & A. are contacted, with images, with a request for confirmation of the suggested provenance.
In view of the name POWELLGLASS do you already have C19 pieces from that factory which might help with id for these saucers?
Topic: Champagne saucer with four tears (Read 2039 times)
