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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Paul S. on June 19, 2014, 02:42:23 PM

Title: Wedgwood elephant. ID = Avondale Glass, Pembrokeshire
Post by: Paul S. on June 19, 2014, 02:42:23 PM

I always think that people who collect glass animals should get out of the house more often - it's not serious collecting ;) ;)

I've about a dozen or so of these Wedgwood creatures (which I assume this is, although not marked), and the colourway of all of them match Susan Tobin's book  i.e.   they're either clear, plain or speckled colours.     This elephant just struck me as different  -  it has almost the abstract swirl of colours like the Spindrift p/ws. - and it's 3.25" to the top of the its head.
But I think it's attractive.

so is it unusual, or are there shed loads of them around, and I've not seen them.?? :)

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: keith on June 19, 2014, 02:47:08 PM

We've a few animal pieces including a couple of Wedgwood elephants but they look oh so drab  compared to yours, :o ;D ;D,never seen the like !

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Paul S. on June 19, 2014, 04:01:54 PM

thanks Keith.          I get the impression that there's quite a lot of Wedgwood that's not in Susan Tobin's book - and as you learn in the world of glass, there's always something unexpected just round the corner, but I agree this one does make the others a bit drab looking. :)

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: glassobsessed on June 19, 2014, 06:56:11 PM

Could it be one of Ray Annenberg's ellies?

John

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Paul S. on June 19, 2014, 10:21:13 PM

you obviously know a lot more than me about such matters John  -  did he get involved with Wedgwood's animals  -  or did he make a very similar design, but separately from Wedgwood? :)

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Lustrousstone on June 20, 2014, 06:31:42 AM

Could it be one of Adam's ellies? Someone needs to poke Rosie

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Paul S. on June 20, 2014, 07:03:14 AM

well, I suppose that's one way of putting it.... ;)

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: rosieposie on June 20, 2014, 07:48:14 AM

Poked Rosie here,  I am pretty sure this is an Avondale Ellie made in Pembrokeshire at the Avondale Glass Studios.
I have had several over the years and although of necessity the swirls are always uniquely different,  these were originally made by workers who migrated from Wedgwood when the studio closed.  I still have pictures of some I have owned and will return a little later to add some pictures for you.
In the meantime Avondale Glass Studios can be seen  here:

http://www.vickybarrett.com/artandcraft/avondale/
Hope all this helps.... Happy Birthday to me! ;)

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: glassobsessed on June 20, 2014, 08:34:02 AM

Looks good: http://www.vickybarrett.com/artandcraft/avondale/elephants.htm

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Lustrousstone on June 20, 2014, 10:08:53 AM

Happy Birthday indeed.  :-*

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: rosieposie on June 20, 2014, 10:26:34 AM

Thank you Christine.... sunny day here,  so should be good. :)

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Paul S. on June 20, 2014, 01:04:28 PM

hi Rosie - thanks for looking in and for your link details  -  so Avondale it is. :)

Happy Birthday - 49 again I guess ;)  -  not too many sherbets perhaps, but enough to take the edge off reality  -  Best Wishes to you.  ;D

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: rosieposie on June 20, 2014, 06:54:11 PM

Thanks  Paul... as a tea totaller,  there will only be sherbert dabs (remember them?)  but it has been a lovely day.
 BTW Avondale never etch their glass,  they have a sticky label with  gold or black writing on a clear label with a glassblower on it and 'Avondale Glass, Hand Made in Pembrokeshire', written on it.
As in this link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avondale-Glass-Hand-Made-In-Pembrokeshire-Wales-Swan-Paperweight-With-Label-/121310200957

Here are a couple of mine... one very similar and the other with thicker less convoluted swirls of colour.

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant
Post by: Paul S. on June 20, 2014, 07:05:45 PM

thanks Rosie  -  I seem to remember having a mouse (think it was a mouse) some time back, and that had the gold or black label you mention  -  it was given to someone else in the family  -  I might try and get it back.............I'm not normally an 'Indian giver' though ;D

So are these things blown partly into a mould of some sort, or are they hand formed completely?

I do remember sherbert dabs.........smallish yellow paper bags about 4" x 4" containing white powder  -  sounds dodgy when you say it like that ;D  -  and there was a quite small piece of rectangular shaped toffee on the end of a small stick which you licked and then dipped into the white powder.
Then again there was another version where you had a shortish liquorice straw through which you could suck up the powder (that sounds even more dodgy) ;D

Title: Re: Wedgwood elephant. ID = Avondale Glass, Pembrokeshire
Post by: rosieposie on June 21, 2014, 10:53:36 AM

I believe they are hot worked glass Paul,  not made in a mould,  hence the slight differences in them all.... I believe Nemmi has one on eBay at the moment and you will see from that there is a slight difference in the thickness and curl of the trunk. 
I also have others made by them with solid colours and speckled areas.... very different and quite charming.

I agree the dabs sound dodgy,  a bit like the white powder-filled 'Flying Saucers' still available today!