Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: josordoni on May 23, 2007, 03:20:43 PM
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Two pieces of Sowerby here , both with peacock marks.
First this blue (is this the colour I have seen referred to as Sorbini?) footed small bowl, with a thistle pattern. Does the pattern have a specific name?
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7162
Second, this is so lovely. I have a feeling it might be a Walter Crane piece? But I can't track down this design at all.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7161
Thanks!
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Lynne — Yes, your wall pocket is from Walter Crane's The Baby's Opera, A Book of Old Rhymes with New Dresses, 1877. Sowerby pattern number 1296, which dates it to early 1878. Rather scarce, in my experience.
I thought that Sowerby used the term "malachite". I can see thistles and a shamrock; there should be roses somewhere on this patriotic piece. I haven't found it yet, probably because the design wasn't registered.
Bernard C. 8)
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Thank you Bernard! It's very very pretty.
Do you happen to know if that blue is the one I have seen called "Sorbini" on the thistle comport?
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Lynne — Yes, your wall pocket is from Walter Crane's The Baby's Opera, A Book of Old Rhymes with New Dresses, 1877. Sowerby pattern number 1296, which dates it to early 1878. Rather scarce, in my experience.
I thought that Sowerby used the term "malachite". I can see thistles and a shamrock; there should be roses somewhere on this patriotic piece. I haven't found it yet, probably because the design wasn't registered.
Bernard C. 8)
Ah, yes, now I look closely there are roses as well... at the bottom of the design immediately under the shamrocks.
I think malachite refers to all the colours, the Sorbini blue seems to be the only one with a specific name, the others are just green, purple, grey. It is a very bright Wedgwood blue (on the red side of the spectrum, if you know what I mean), not the usual slightly turquoisey one.
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... but no leeks, a comparatively recent addition.
Bernard C. 8)
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You'd think they would have SOMETHING for Wales - did it used to be classed as just another part of England?
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Lynne, the daffodil was also used for Wales I think?
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yes, I think so, Anne, but there isn't anything for Wales on this piece :-\
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Lynne, what's the motif around the rim? i can't quit make it out, look's a bit like corn.
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The border immediately under the scalloped rim is of little entwined twigs (although they actually look like samphire!!) . I've put another close up pic on - good supersize, so click on the middle of the gallery pic.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7184
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Ah, thought it could have been the crossed over leaves of the leek, but not so sure now.
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No, if they were leeks they would be rather diseased ones I think! ;D ;D
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Lynne, thanks for the Samphire note. There's a Samphire Ho near Dover and I always meant to Google it...now I have. :) I didn't know the other name for Samphire is Glasswort and it was used in the glass industry. Cheers for the info! :D :D
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and I had forgotten about the glass link - perhaps it actually is samphire rather than twigs?
(samphire to eat... ptah, ptooey.... all fibres and sticky bits )
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Right..... so back to the drawing board for the thistle comport, since it isn't Sowerby at all.
Doh!!!!!!!!
Since when has a Sowerby piece had a Greener mark on it then, eh??? Tell me that then?
(please may I have a new brain for Christmas pretty please.... :'()
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Lynne — We all make mistakes — thanks for your correction.
Which Greener punched TM, the earlier Star or the later Halbard / Axe?
As for possible Welsh emblems, the earliest piece I've found is a wonderful black three-legged vase / spill holder, popularly attributed to Davidson (probably without any real evidence) and rather vaguely dated to c.1890. See Notley/Miller's p.29. This has everything, including lions' heads and feet, heraldic escutcheons, greek key, floral swags, and panels containing the three floral country symbols, between each of which is a leek/onion/daffodil hybrid of some vague nature. Perhaps it was just infill.
Bernard C. 8)
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I think it's the early Angus and Greener star. I've popped a pic up for us, I'd be grateful if you would check it for me Bernard.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-7280
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Yes, Lynne, that's the star. It's not early enough for Angus & Greener, but is either Henry Greener or Greener & Co.
Bernard C. 8)
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Righty ho, I am just gleaning from the various bits online about the Sunderland/Tyneside glassworks, and obviously misunderstood the various incarnations of Mr Greener and his glassworks!
Am I right that the star lion was in use 1875-1885?
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Lynne — Yes, more or less, with the usual caveats, as no-one really knows that accurately.
Bernard C. 8)
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Lynne — Well done — great outcome.
... and thanks for the acknowledgement, much appreciated.
Bernard C. 8) :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Gobsmacked is a good description of me this evening......
and an acknowledgement is the least I can do Bernard, I am very grateful indeed for your expertise.
:D