Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass Animals & Figurines => Topic started by: wolkenreb on February 18, 2012, 03:08:32 PM
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I was doing a bit of browsing today and came across this auction site listing - it states that this piece was made by Thomas Webb and that they made several palm tree 'friggers' (what's a frigger???). I have this piece and had never thought I'd find a maker (my one still has glass coconuts hanging from the tree - they are removable). I also have a 3-piece band under palm trees which has very similar palm trees and base.
Can anyone here confirm that Thomas Webb did indeed make these, or these types of figures? If so, is there any web info on them?
Here is the link to the auction site. http://www.premierantiques.co.uk/thomas-webb-glass-palm-tree-and-elephant-c1930-66-p.asp
And here are my pieces.
(Didn't mean to post the band twice [Mod: now only the one pic]. The colours in the elephant photo are not good - too pale.)
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A "frigger" is a piece of work made by an apprentice or glassmaker in order to show off their skills.
Originally, they were carried by the apprentices in parades.
So your lovely things are proper friggers.
I don't know anything more, sorry.
They're fabby!
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Thanks Sue! I was going to look it up but forgot! So would friggers be put on the market? And what do you mean by parades? :)
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There is a picture on page 182 (20th Century British Glass)of some lampwork figures by Pirelli Glass that include a figure and a palm tree ;D
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I believe Venini used to make something like that as well . i love em . :mrgreen: Dont suppose they are giong on ebay?
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Glassmakers' Guild parades and processions.
I'm referring to somewhat older times, although these still do go on.
I'm not sure whether or not they were sold.
I do have a wee story about one though. :thup:
I know a chap who used to work for Phoenix glass here in the uk. He told me that somebody there had made a fabulous and massive frigger of the ship "Bismark". It was put into the annealing oven to cool - but when they went back for it.... it had vanished.
Nobody knows what happened to it.
So if anybody encounters a massive and fabulous frigger of the Bismark, it's from the Phoenix glassworks but - watch out - it's stolen property!
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I think Thomas Webb did make palm tree things, as did several Victorian makers, but neither yours nor these are Thomas Webb. They were not lampwork just for a start and they weren't friggers. Yours and the example are both lampwork.
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:pb:
Ok, I got it wrong. Not for the first time either.
I just thought if they were Webb, they would have been friggers, as they're most decidedly non-standard.
(I should keep away from old stuff!)
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Palms and ferns were big Victorian things and some of the palmy things were registered designs.
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I'm having a real chuckle about this, and I will explain why!!
This morning in favourite searches, I have Bimini listed in case any Komaromy items come up under that heading.
Listed for sale was this piece:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-MURANO-BIMINI-GLASS-MONKEYS-PLAYING-SAXOPHONE-VIOLIN-UNDER-PALM-TREE-1950s-/200715492668
I turned to John and said " what sort of artistic mind wakes up one morning and thinks to themselves 'Today I think I will make a glass ornament of two monkeys playing violin and saxaphone under a Palm tree, that will be a really good thing to make' ?"
He looked at me as though I was having a laugh and I said "Really?" I said "Look!" and showed him the listing.....thus proving to him that my glass collecting was indeed the first sign of madness!!
So then I go to the Glassmessages unread pages and see yours Nancy!!
We need the 'rotfl' symbol back......you have made my day. Thank you. :usd:
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Nancy, Glassexport offered palm trees too: ZBS 1955 (http://www.glas-musterbuch.de/Glassexport-1955-Figuren.153+B6YmFja1BJRD0xNTMmcHJvZHVjdElEPTY2MzgmcGlkX3Byb2R1Y3Q9MTUzJmRldGFpbD0_.0.html)
:hi:
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Thanks all. So the auction house got it wrong . . . they called them friggers and said they were Thomas Webb!
JP - look at these listings on Ebay (not mine) - this one is the same as my elephant one:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280818232162?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
This is the monkey one Rosie mentioned
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200715492668?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
And this one is of a musician under plam trees - must have been a series of them:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280819488182?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
ALL described as Bimini which I know their not.
I don't think they're Pirelli - wish they were!
I'm just going to get my lovely big glass ship out so that I can take a pic and post it here. ;D
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Nancy, Glassexport offered palm trees too: ZBS 1955 (http://www.glas-musterbuch.de/Glassexport-1955-Figuren.153+B6YmFja1BJRD0xNTMmcHJvZHVjdElEPTY2MzgmcGlkX3Byb2R1Y3Q9MTUzJmRldGFpbD0_.0.html)
:hi:
Thanks Pamela - I've had a good look in there already!
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Nancy, you sold me that ship in a 'secret sale' a year ago......don't you remember?
BTW I have just seen where the rotfl smiley is, but I will resist using it!!
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:24: Oops! Not a secret any more I guess!
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Hi the first piece is by Jostra, after 1946, and is part of 2400 range, between 2407 & 2453.
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Wow, that's brilliant! I never dreamed I'd find out who the maker was. Thank you!!! I've asked you in another post for more or any info on Jostra, if you'd be so kind :)
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Page 182 of 20C glass has a great advert, and some items in it are definitely Jostra (probably all), as the book states they imported.