This London company was founded by Paul Raoul de Facheux D’Humy (1839-1903), a Frenchman who owned a glass manufacture, but who had fled to England during the Franco-Prussian War. Here he eloped with Marianne Robinson Johnston, who bore him six children. He employed Venetian glass-workers in his London glass-works, and specialized in glass decorated with either gold or platinum foil. He presented several examples of his work to the British Museum in 1878, including a similar wine glass to that shown here. Details of his Company are sparse, but he applied for three glass-making & decorating patents between 1876 & 1888. It seems that Paul Raoul was an unreliable character; the glassmaking company foundered, and the family went to New York. Here, in 1890, Paul Raoul deserted his wife for another woman. Examples of his work are extremely rare.
Cranberry Bowl with Gold Leaf, ca. 1880
The unusual crackled cranberry glass with gold leaf is remarkable for its triangular shape, and is off-set with stylised ‘fish’ legs at each...[read more]
Wine Glass, ca. 1880
The wide shallow cup-shaped bowl and conical foot of emerald-green tint is decorated with gold foil, set on a slender shoulder-knopped clear glass...[read more]
