Topic: Fairy lamp dome Davidson RD 130643, 13 August 1889

[agincourt17]

A small Clarke's pyramid fairy lamp comprising a pyramid-size opalescent yellow glass panelled dome on a clear glass candle cup with the base embossed S.CLARKE FAIRY PYRAMID with dancing fairy trademark at the centre resting on a matching opalescent glass base. The inside of the dome is embossed RD. 430643  – an April 1904 design registration number.

(Permission for the re-use of these images on the GMB granted by Simon Warden).

RD 430643 is not in Jenny Thompson,
or Great Glass at  http://www.great-glass.co.uk/glass%20notes/regnos06.htm
or listed at
http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/FairyLampDesignNumbers_All.html
and too early for the Blue Book.

Does anyone have any information as to the precise registration details for RD 430643, please – or is this yet another challenge for Paul S via the GMB RD lookup requests?

I believe that Clarke contracted out the manufacture of all its glassware, so I suppose it is not unlikely that the yellow opalescent components could well have been made by Davidson.

Fred.

[agincourt17]

More photos.

Fred.

[Paul S.]

Quite possibly another CLASS 4 item  - if you add to the list I'll do my best to research at Kew in the coming days. 

[agincourt17]

Thank you , Paul - will do.

Fred.

[Keencollector]

I did purchase this fairy light as I knew it to be a Davidson dome in their "Brideshead" pattern.  I have a blue one also but the clear Clarks fairy light base is in a different pattern on this.
The registration number should be 130643.

 I do not think the fluted primrose pearline bowl was meant to be partnered with the light.  This is Davidsons "Kings Panel" and was manufactured in fluted and not fluted rim and has a matching jug. These are more or less miniature in size. 

This is my opinion only from experience in collecting pearline.

[Lustrousstone]

I wondered about the two bases last night but a bit of rooting revealed such things are around (not in these designs though), so I ignored my thought. Margaret's thoughts confirm my suspicions - the Pearline base is not a good fit

[agincourt17]

Thank you, Margaret – well spotted, and expertly corrected.

I hope your purchase survives (or has survived) the trip to Australia this time.

So, just to clarify, Davidson RD 130643 was registered on 13 August 1889, and “Brideshead” is the pattern name often ascribed to the pattern by American (and other) Davidson collectors. 

This is certainly the first fairy light dome I’ve seen in the pattern, and interesting to learn that you have a blue pearline example too.

I will draw Jim Sapp’s attention to this number re.
http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/FairyLampDesignNumbers_All.html

I will also contact the moderators regarding a change in the topic title to reflect your expert correction of my initial erroneous RD number – perhaps “Fairy lamp dome Davidson RD 130643, 13 August 1889”.

Fred.

[Keencollector]

Would you like photos of blue version of the fairy light and the matching items to "Kings Panel" bowl for reference?

[agincourt17]

Yes please, Margaret.

Fred.

[Jim Sapp]

Yes, the fluted base is not intended to go with the Davidson shade.  The clear Clarke lamp cup with the swirl was actually designed for another fairy lamp from another company.  The more appropriate Clarke cup with the diamond pattern is a better match.

There are two blue variants of the Davidson design, one a dark blue and the other a very light blue.   There is also a seldom seen amber color.   I would post articles on these lamps but I can't get to my files right now.

Jim.