Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: dirk1 on August 01, 2007, 02:54:10 AM
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We found a small narrow piece of amber glass that's 1.5 inches high and 5 inches long, 1 inch wide - decorated with Sunbonnet Babies on each side and animals on each end (frogs and deer). It is footed and has the Sowerby mark. Does this ring any bells with anyone? Any help would be appreciated. In the same estate was a purple slag footed salt with same mark and diamond shaped British Registry mark as well.
Thanks much!
Dirk Soulis
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Absolutely, you lucky person! It is called "Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy and Bess" and the design was produced by Sowerby around 1880.
The design is based on the illustrations in a book called "An Alphabet of Old Friends" by Walter Crane, published in 1874.
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Adding more to my reply, this posy trough is Sowerby pattern 1219 shown in pattern books 8 and 9 (1882). It is illustrated and discussed in Simon Cottle's book "Sowerby: Gateshead Glass".
The poem from Crane's book (for the letter E) goes:
"Elizabeth Elspeth Betsy and Bess,
they all went together to seek a bird's nest,
they found a bird's nest with five eggs in;
They all took one, and left four in."
(thanks to Simon Cottle's book for all that information)
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Wow! Thanks for taking the time with that comprehensive answer. We've been wondering about both the function and the story behind the decoration. Your kind response is most appreciated.
Best regards and thanks again.
Sincerely,
Dirk Soulis