May 2002 Newsletter

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Introduction

Welcome to the May Cloud Glass newsletter. It has been some time since the last newsletter. I hope you all enjoyed reading about Orange Cloud Glass. We plan to have more interesting articles like that over the next six months. Don't forget, we will publish the information via the newsletter first and then update the web site.

Cloud Glass Web site

The only recent change has been the updating of the Orange Cloud Glass page. The next page to be completed will be on Davidson 3-piece flower sets. That should be ready in the next week or so. After that I will be doing the page on Davidson Posy Bowls.

Antique Fairs

Sunday 12th May was the Glass Fair at the Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. There were fewer dealers there this time with no stands in the downstairs room. Despite this it was a busy fair with a lot of interesting items for the Cloud Glass collector. Amongst the more interesting items were:

  • A Green 733 bowl. This 20" bowl was the largest piece of Cloud Glass made by Davidson. Sadly it was lacking the 10" Dome. This had been broken and thrown away by the previous owner! Definitely a big impressive piece!
  • Walther bowl with handles and leaf decoration. This is illustrated on the web site (bottom of the page of Walther bowls). There were two of these at the fair, one in Topaz-Violet and one in Sepia. As well as being different colours they were also slightly different is shape. This was the first time I had seen this bowl in the flesh. I found the Sepia version much more pleasing, as the Topaz-Violet bowl was very dark.
  • An Orange 1910D bowl complete with Orange dome flower block. We now know they only made 51 5" Orange flower domes.
  • An unfrosted Topaz-Briar 732 bowl. This is the first unfrosted piece of Briar I have seen. At first sight it appeared to be unfrosted purple. Only in good light can one see that the base glass is green.

As well as the bowl above, there were a number of other Sepia vases.

This fair still remains the best Glass fair in the UK, and well worth visiting. Sadly we have to wait until November for the next one.

Davidson Look-alikes

While visiting the Puces De Saint-Ouen market area in Paris we came across two Davidson look-alikes. Incidentally the Saint-Ouen market area is well worth visiting. It took us a whole day to do the market, but be warned prices range from ouch to 'You have to be Joking'!!!. The first example is a clear glass dome flower support.

From a distance, the dome appears to be an exact copy. Closer examination reveals that the top of the dome is flat and the central hole is wider than Davidson dome supports. The glass is also thicker. The holes in the base are not pierced and from examining the moulding it appears that they were never designed to be. The only writing on the base are the words 'Made in France' and the size. The example shown in the picture is a 4" dome and has the number 4 on the base. We also saw a 5" and a  3.5" dome on the same stall.

It is difficult to give a manufacturing date for these domes. The examples we saw did show signs of wear, but whether they were 10 years or 60 years old it is impossible to say.

The second look-alike is much more interesting. When I first saw it I thought 'Well if you are going to see Cloud Glass in France the most likely thing to see would be a 1910 BD bowl'. I then did a double take and saw that the bowl was Violet Cloud! Closer examination revealed that it is a direct copy of the 1910 BD bowl. If the bowl had been in Amber Cloud Glass then you would not have given it a second glance.

 

The main difference between this bowl and a 1910 BD is the omission of the toothed decoration which is characteristic of the 1910 design. This can be seen in the picture right. Where the toothed decoration should be the glass is smooth and plain. There are other minor differences. The shape of the foot is not quite the same and the bowl is slightly larger and not as high as a 1910 BD.

The bowl was of course made by Walther in the 1930s. In fact there is a picture of the bowl on the front of one of the Walther Catalogues. a reproduction of which is in the article 'Achat-Kunstglas ORALIT,  Sachsische Glasfabrik August Walther  & Sohne AG, Ottendorf-Okrilla u. Radeberg 1932, 1933 u. 1934; "Slag Glass" und "Cloud Glass”  which can be found at www.pressglas-korrespondenz.de.

As the 1910 BD is so common I have tended not look too closely at them. After seeing this bowl, that has changed. I have always suspected that Walther made Amber Cloud Glass. If that is the case then there is a good chance they made this design in Amber. If so it would be very difficult to tell them apart even close up.

Reports from the Pottery Gazette

In 1928, out of the big four glass manufactures (Davidson, Sowerby, Jobling and Bagley) only Jobling had a stand at the British Industries Fair. The write-up of the BIF in the Pottery Gazette normally gives us an idea of what new lines Davidson was introducing. However, in December 1928 Davidson featured in the 'Buyers Notes' section of the Gazette. The article is reprinted below and was originally accompanied by a picture of a 278 vase with Premier Support, a 279 D vase and a 696 or 699 D type flower set.

The article is particularly interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly it talks about a tortoiseshell-coloured finish recently introduced. This could be a reference to Amber Cloud. Collectors today use the description tortoiseshell to refer to Amber cloud which has no matt surfaces. It is unlikely that Davidson would have used the term for just polished Amber Cloud Glass.

The article also implies that the early offerings were matt, and only later did they experiment with mixing polished and matt surfaces. To confuse matters the author uses the term matt and satin in the same sentence. Matt implies both surfaces were acid etched, and satin that only one surface was etched. This ambiguity will continue to cause debate about when particular finishes were available.

It is likely that Davidson would have wanted any accompanying pictures to include their latest designs. This suggests that the 279D, 278 and 696/9 designs were introduced in the that year. If so, then it would appear the 278 vase was designed with the Premier support in mind. It is also worth noting that the design for the Premier Support was issued in 1923. In 1928 the design protection would have expired. It is possible, therefore, that Davidson bought the moulds from Stourbridge to use with the 278 vase.

And so in the words 'of a member of our staff':


'Geo. Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, Gateshead-on-Tyne who are represented in London by  Mr. Geo. D. Francis, with showrooms at- 3, Charterhouse St., EC1 have made extensive additions within recent years to the range of pressed glassware, and not only is this noticeable in their suites of table glass, but it is particularly apparent in their big and varied range of ornamental lines. There was a time when the Teams Glass Works was solely concerned with the production of inexpensive glassware capable of satisfying sheerly utilitarian requirements, and, whilst the firm can still claim to be counted amongst the largest and best equipped concerns in Britain engaged in the production of inexpensive pressed glassware capable of meeting the daily requirement of the masses, it is possibly today to go further, and say that Davidson & Co. have discovered, in the production of a steadily increasing range of ornamental goods, how to bring art more and more into relation with craftsmanship in a glassworks which, for generations, was more concerned with meeting utilitarian requirements than of appealing to artistic sensibilities.

It is some years now since this house produced its special range of coloured glasses with matt finish, and we remember well the  appeal which was made upon us by the first pieces which we encountered of blue, amber, green, black and cloud effects in different colours in satin-finished bowls and vases. We felt certain at the time of their introduction that such new effects would experience good demand, and our anticipations were amply fulfilled, for we have since seen this type of ornamental  pressed glass in many china shops of real standing. 

It is remarkable how one thing suggests and leads up to another.  Davidson & Co. had not been working long upon these new coloured lines before they discovered that a much greater measure of artistic effect could in some instances be attained by the production of flower bowls with turn-over roll tops. A much enhanced effect in some of these coloured pieces is now being obtained in this way, and by this and other means, such as the mingling of matt and polished surfaces, it can safely be said that some of the coloured glasses now being produced for the most part by mechanical means, and therefore capable of being offered at quite modest prices, are real, workmanlike pieces of true artistic merit.

In some of the pieces the colour effects are unique, and when these are to be had in flower-bowl sets (consisting of bowl, block and plinth), sets of card trays (diamond, spade, club and heart) for card parties, trinket sets and dressing table sundries and many other items for suitable parts of the household, it will be seen that a big and new field is gradually being opened up for the sale of popular priced glassware, by reason of which the ordinary glass and china dealer ought to be able to profit. 

We were much impressed when visiting the firm's showrooms recently by a new effect in tortoiseshell-coloured finish, which shows up particularly well in trinket ware. A purple cloud trinket set is also proving very popular. In several cases we noticed that flower-holders of unique colouring have a matt-textured interior with a polished turn-over top-the No. 279 D pattern is a case in point. We cannot help thinking that such lines as these should fill a big need in the stock of many a china shop where inexpensive means of enlivenment are being sought. Lastly, and by no means least in importance is the role which Geo. Davidson & Co. serve as regards pressed designs for the purposes of the domestic table. They have a remarkably wide range of patterns in this department, from those which are ornate and brilliant to those which are simple, restrained and dignified. In some cases, indeed, by reason of superior finish, it is not easy nowadays for the layman to distinguish at a glance between the glass which is cut and that which is made in moulds. For certain markets, the sharp, brilliant patterns are still demanded particularly in the case of pressed fruit dishes - and to suit this type of trade one of the newest designs of the firm is their No. 737, a well covered pattern which yields a big measure of "effect" at a very moderate price. There must surely be few glass and china dealers who are not aware of what a firm such as Geo. Davidson can do for them, but an occasional reminder is useful, and especially when the firm
concerned is constantly bringing out something that is new and fresh, which is certainly apparent in the case of the firm under notice.'

Cloud Glass on Ebay

Cloud Glass remains a strong seller on Ebay, with around 10 to 20 pieces going through each week. The past few weeks have seen a red Ora 1910 bowl and 3 pieces of Walther Pink Cloud Glass. Although the two vases made good money, the Orla bowl went for around £34. Prices for Sepia Cloud Glass are very depressed at the moment, with some pieces going through for under £30. Another rarity was an Amber Cloud Glass ripple bowl. Very little ripple was produced in Amber Cloud and I think this must have been a first for many collectors.

This month I have decided to present summary information from the last 7 months. The first table shows a breakdown of Ebay Cloud Glass by style and colour. The second table is the average price achieved. When viewing the tables, please be aware of the following:

  1. Identification has been based on the picture and description given on Ebay. My interpretation may not be 100% correct.
  2. No account has been taken of the condition or completeness of the glass. It is in fact rare for a flower set to be offered complete with dome and plinth. In the case of vases and candlesticks some auctions are for a single piece and others are for a pair.
  3. I have only included Cloud Glass which was available to the UK.
  4. I have not included auctions which received no bids or failed to reach the reserve price
 
Description Total All Colours Amber Blue Butter Scotch Green Orange Pink Purple Red (ORA) Sepia Topaz Briar Topaz Violet
1910 BD Flower Set 21 12 2
3 1
2 1


S/696 D 10" 20 9 3
2 3
2 1


283S - 2.5" Candlesticks 18 10 2
3 1
2



279 - 6" Vase 16 4 3
4 2
3



1910 MD Flower Set 16 6 3
2

5



279 - 8" Vase 15 3 6
1 4
1



1907 TD 5" Flower Set 15 9 1



4

1
No 1 Vase 13 4 4

1
4



21 Flower Set 13 8

1 1
2

1
51 Vase 13 9 1
3






10/1910 Flower Set 12 6

4 1



1
283 - 5" Powder Jar 10 6 2



2



248 D Flower Set 10 3 1

6





1910 SD Flower Set 9 6 1



2



20 Flower Set 7 3 1
1 1
1



Edith 31432 - 18cm Comport 7







4
3
No 3H Dome 3.5" 7
1
2

4



283 - 7.5" Candlesticks 7 5 1



1



280 Hexagonal Plates 6 6









8283 Trinket Set 5 3

1

1



326 Candlesticks 5 3 1



1



732 F 9.5" Flower Set 5 4


1





Sowerby Ashtray 5





5



1907T 4 1


1
1

1
50 Vase 4 1 2



1



34 SD 9.5" Flower Set 4 3

1






248 F - 5" 4 2


1
1



No 27 Boat shaped bowl 14" * 6" 4 2

2






696 D 13" 4 3 1








283 - 3" Powder Jar 4 3 1








283 - 8" Bowl 4 3




1



283 - 6" Bowl 4 1 1



1

1
1910 D 11" Flower Set 4 4









S/696 F 9" Flower Set 3 1 1

1





294 Vase 3



2
1



1910 G Flower Set 3 1

2






No 4 3.25 Plinth 3 1 2








1910 M 6.5" Flower Set 3 2 1








1910 MG Flower Set 3 2




1



204 D 7.5" Flower Set 3 1

2






5P Trinket Tray 3



1
2



204 - 7.5" Flower Set 3 1

2






204 D 9" Flower Set 2 1

1






Kopenhagen 18cm footed vase 44118 2




2




No 3H Dome 4" 2 2









34 SVG Vase 2 2









293 Vase 2 1




1



5 Trinket Tray 2 1




1



No 3 3.5" Dome 2 1 1








24 M Hexagonal 8.5" Flower Set 2


1 1





No 2 Cigarette Box 2 1 1








700 D 12" Flower Set 2


1 1





712 10" Vase 2 1


1





25 Octagonal Flower Set 2 1


1





No 3H Dome 3" 2 1 1








279 D - 8" Vase 1 1









12 Heart shaped 1 1









204 - 9" Flower Set 1


1






282 8" Round Plate 1


1






283 - 5" Bowl 1 1









282 4.5" small dish 1
1








204 D 12" Flower Set 1


1






280 S 2 Tier Chrome Cake Stand 1 1









280 2 Plate Wooden cake stand 1 1









205 Posy Ring 1 1









24 Hexagonal Plinth 1





1



1910 Plate 11.5" 1





1



279 - 10" Vase 1 1









204 R 7" Flower Set 1 1









No 3H Dome 4.5" 1





1



Herman Oval Bowl 17cm 1







1

Hermann oval bowl with star bottom 42171 1









1
Kopenhagen 31472 Vase 1







1

Liana 31443 26.5cm Bowl 1







1

Lotos 31435 - 16cm Vase 1







1

Lotos 31436 - 19cm Vase 1









1
326 Trinket Set 1
1








No 3 3" Dome 1





1



Circular Dish with impressed patter 1







1

No 3H Dome 5" 1





1



No 8 3.0" Semi-dome 1
1








Orla 31415 26cm Bowl 1







1

Orla 31416 31cm Bowl 1




1




Rheingold 31439 Vase 1







1

Rheingold 31474 Vase 1

1







Unknown Davidson 1
1








No 1 4" Plinth 1 1









699 D 14.5" 1



1





283 Pin Tray 1 1









29/32 4" Bridge ashtrays 1 1









293 D Vase 1 1









296 Fan Vase 1








1
326 3" Powder jar 1 1









34 SVF Vase 1


1






Zentrum 31470 32cm Comport 1







1

Flat 3 footed platter 1









1
696 F 12" Flower Set 1


1






Edith 31431 Sweet Bowl 1







1

712 8" Vase 1



1





732 8.5" Flower Set 1 1









732 F Flower Set 1 1









741 L Flanged Bowl 1 1









Aphrodite Oval Bowl 1







1

Bamboo 3 footed dish 1 1









283 - 8" Powder Jar 1





1



48 Ashtray 1


1






Table 1: Ebay Auctions by Colour

 
Description Amber Blue Butter Scotch Green Orange Pink Purple Red (ORA) Sepia Topaz Briar Topaz Violet
10/1910 Flower Set £24.29

£21.01 £68.08



£37.00
12 Heart shaped £13.72









1907 TD 5" Flower Set £12.58 £2.00



£33.22

£38.00
1907T £23.00


£59.83
£72.01

£22.00
1910 BD Flower Set £20.41 £28.76
£25.41 £70.73
£25.33 £206.99


1910 D 11" Flower Set £19.62









1910 G Flower Set £32.00

£43.53






1910 M 6.5" Flower Set £33.00 £19.00








1910 MD Flower Set £17.12 £37.78
£31.32

£26.55



1910 MG Flower Set £12.50




£32.00



1910 Plate 11.5"





£31.00



1910 SD Flower Set £19.67 £39.00



£29.00



20 Flower Set £40.75 £39.95
£57.47 £121.49
£17.51



204 - 7.5" Flower Set £14.17

£23.40






204 - 9" Flower Set


£14.86






204 D 12" Flower Set


£51.06






204 D 7.5" Flower Set £17.08

£25.93






204 D 9" Flower Set £17.00

£17.00






204 R 7" Flower Set £27.00









205 Posy Ring £10.36









21 Flower Set £33.21

£32.00 £86.72
£37.75

£32.01
24 Hexagonal Plinth





£24.85



24 M Hexagonal 8.5" Flower Set


£7.02 £85.75





248 D Flower Set £11.59 £61.08

£71.14





248 F - 5" £19.74


£99.51
£34.39



25 Octagonal Flower Set £26.00


£300.00





279 - 10" Vase £57.99









279 - 6" Vase £23.96 £37.35
£56.47 £144.60
£33.58



279 - 8" Vase £28.36 £49.13
£49.50 £148.19
£82.84



279 D - 8" Vase £40.00









280 2 Plate Wooden cake stand £22.50









280 Hexagonal Plates £13.18









280 S 2 Tier Chrome Cake Stand £52.52









282 4.5" small dish
£11.00








282 8" Round Plate


£21.62






283 - 3" Powder Jar £29.19 £16.00








283 - 5" Bowl £2.00









283 - 5" Powder Jar £18.76 £48.48



£27.05



283 - 6" Bowl £12.12 £37.00



£31.78

£26.00
283 - 7.5" Candlesticks £19.74 £155.00



£60.59



283 - 8" Bowl £19.47




£69.00



283 - 8" Powder Jar





£41.68



283 Pin Tray £7.37









283S - 2.5" Candlesticks £18.99 £10.27
£18.03 £10.35
£37.54



29/32 4" Bridge ashtrays £52.46









293 D Vase £32.70









293 Vase £22.50




£32.06



294 Vase



£114.47
£38.20



296 Fan Vase








£67.00
326 3" Powder jar £3.00









326 Candlesticks £13.36 £40.28



£19.00



326 Trinket Set
£78.88








34 SD 9.5" Flower Set £19.84

£23.60






34 SVF Vase


£90.30






34 SVG Vase £57.36









48 Ashtray


£17.26






5 Trinket Tray £41.55




£42.86



50 Vase £26.01 £35.50



£31.59



51 Vase £22.81 £42.00
£33.67






5P Trinket Tray



£100.00
£24.09



696 D 13" £27.33 £74.97








696 F 12" Flower Set


£52.00






699 D 14.5"



£173.95





700 D 12" Flower Set


£48.53 £193.64





712 10" Vase £52.87


£263.45





712 8" Vase



£173.23





732 8.5" Flower Set £18.37









732 F 9.5" Flower Set £21.57


£118.76





732 F Flower Set £31.24









741 L Flanged Bowl £349.85









8283 Trinket Set £55.57

£87.51

£54.46



Aphrodite Oval Bowl







£46.94

Bamboo 3 footed dish £34.00









Circular Dish with impressed patter







£24.16

Edith 31431 Sweet Bowl







£75.56

Edith 31432 - 18cm Comport







£36.13
£61.55
Flat 3 footed platter









£81.16
Herman Oval Bowl 17cm







£57.47

Hermann oval bowl with star bottom 42171









£48.52
Kopenhagen 31472 Vase







£126.15

Kopenhagen 18cm footed vase 44118




£223.38




Liana 31443 26.5cm Bowl







£104.36

Lotos 31435 - 16cm Vase







£177.77

Lotos 31436 - 19cm Vase









£198.67
No 1 4" Plinth £23.02









No 1 Vase £21.37 £43.48

£164.88
£24.28



No 2 Cigarette Box £40.00 £119.24








No 27 Boat shaped bowl 14" * 6" £45.67

£37.01






No 3 3" Dome





£16.00



No 3 3.5" Dome £5.26 £18.74








No 3H Dome 3" £5.50 £10.77








No 3H Dome 3.5"
£11.14
£11.42

£16.22



No 3H Dome 4" £6.35









No 3H Dome 4.5"





£7.36



No 3H Dome 5"





£8.50



No 4 3.25 Plinth £10.52 £15.76








No 8 3.0" Semi-dome
£17.95








Orla 31415 26cm Bowl







£14.07

Orla 31416 31cm Bowl




£31.43




Rheingold 31439 Vase







£105.96

Rheingold 31474 Vase

£241.16







S/696 D 10" £19.84 £25.50
£33.92 £84.98
£30.71 £436.01


S/696 F 9" Flower Set £18.20 £104.00

£153.75





Sowerby Ashtray





£7.14



Unknown Davidson
£75.01








Zentrum 31470 32cm Comport







£128.70

Table 2: Ebay Sales - Average Price


Copyright (c) Chris and Val Stewart 2002