Topic: Thomas Webb top hat posy vase - RD 298626

[glassobsessed]

Found this the other day,  the engraved RD lozenge is so clear it was almost disappointingly easy to decipher! A little over 2 inches tall.

According to the info on the Great Glass website registered by Thomas Webb (26th Feb 1876, parcel 9).

John

[Paul S.]

very unusual - sorry to seem thick John, but why the bluish effect?           

T/Webb were granted two separate Registrations that day  -  298626 and 298627 - both parcel 9, and both are shown in Gulliver as side elevation, but only half of each hat is drawn  -  no idea where the author sourced his drawings  -  not I don't think from the Board of Trade drawings which show both in full outline, unless Gulliver decided to save space by reducing the size of the drawing.
TNA Register omits any description of either, but Gulliver has written 'top hat' against 298626, and 'bowler' against 298627 - and this does look to be a good description bearing in mind the shape of each  -  and he describes these as 'flower holders'.             As usual there is an absence of dimensions on the original factory drawings.

I hate to cast nasturtiums but is it possible this one has been pressed some time in the intervening years?               I can post pix of the factory drawings if it's of any interest  -  let me know.

[glassobsessed]

The bluish effect is caused by the rather cunning addition of pale blue glass, used in the trail around the rim and the 'double' band just above the brim of the hat. This one is definitely not pressed, the neat little polished pontil mark is the giveaway.

[keith]

Interesting piece, makes a nice change to be able to read the lozenge 

[flying free]

Very nice find.  Is it a toothpick holder?
Also that pale blue trail.  I often see items with that colour trail attributed to Richardson or queried as at least, so it's good to have something with the blue trail and an RD for Webb. 

Any chance of a pic against white so we can see the blue trail colour more clearly 

[Paul S.]

having just trawled through Gulliver, this combination of a clear body with (solid) pale turquoise rim etc., is almost non-existent - though there is a machine threaded water jug which he attributes - without provenance - to Hodgetts, Richardson & Son c. 1877.           Is there any wear on the top of the hat John.

The only hat I can see in Hajdamach, is p. 389 (colour plate 46)  - obviously lacking any marks - since the author says ...........   " bowler hat, probably by Richardson's c. 1880 - height 2.3/4"  .. "

I know I'm suspicious by nature, but I'm worried that this is a more recent production.         How was this one sold?

[glassobsessed]

Keith, I feel positively spoilt with such clarity! There is wear Paul, it was bought for a small sum of cash from a house clearance type dealer at a market (I trust my own judgement rather than a given seller's spiel).

It would be a toothpick holder if you put toothpicks in it... (sorry!), Paul mentioned earlier that Gulliver describes them as flower holders. I guess regardless of the intended use, assuming their was one suggested, that any utility rested with the end user.

[flying free]

Nice colour!  It's a gem of a find

[flying free]

Hodgetts Richardson piece for comparison:
https://cdn.collectionsbase.org.uk/dmuse/st376.jpg


https://www.blackcountryhistory.org/collections/getrecord/DMUSE_ST376

[Paul S.]

sorry to appear thick m, but aside from the colour of turquoise, how does this help us in 'comparison' with the top hat?