Glass in the United Kingdom had been taxed by weight, and when this tax was repealed in 1845 it became profitable to produce runs of identical moulded items, and the demand for domestic glassware grew. New ranges were produced each year, and as well as the traditional clear, (or flint) glass, many other styles were developed, such as opaque, marbled, opalescent and coloured.
The moulds were made from cast iron or brass, and later precision power-assisted tools became available to cut the patterns on the moulds. The earliest known English example dates from 1836, but the industry really came into its own in the 1850s, the height of the Victorian period.
Glass Dish, ca. 1950s, possibly Davidson
Davidson continued to produce numerous designs after the War, and this is typical of the period and of their work. [read more]
Coronation Ashtray, 1953, maker unknown
An example of the commemorative item for which pressed glass is an ideal medium, mass-producing numerous pieces quickly and cheaply. It cannot be...[read more]
Jet Glass Stands, ca. 1930 – 1950, possibly by Sowerby or Davidson
Jet glass had been introduced by Sowerby in 1881, and the colour remained extremely popular in Victorian times, and then later had a resurgence in...[read more]
Posy Vases, Pattern 204 by Davidson, 1935
These proved enormously popular, and were made in three sizes, up to the 1950s, with various patterned and plain rims. They were also copied by other...[read more]
Art Deco Candlesticks by Jobling, ca. 1930
In 1886 Jobling purchased the firm of Henry Greener of Newcastle. He later acquired the licence to manufacture Pyrex from the Corning Glass Company...[read more]
Pressed Pot and Cover, ca. 1920 by Davidson
George Davidson & Co of Teams Glass Works, Gateshead was founded in 1867. By 1887 there was a workforce of 350, which produced 200-250 tons of...[read more]
Dressing table Set, ca. 1910
These elaborate collections of articles were extremely popular, usually given as wedding presents, and produced by several makers between 1880 and...[read more]
Electric Light Shade, ca. 1908
At first, domestic electric lighting was regarded as a status symbol, and the glass shades were often designed, as in this case, to display the light...[read more]
Gas Light Shade, ca. 1900
The increase in domestic gas lighting with the development of the incandescent mantle at the end of the nineteenth century created a demand for...[read more]
Nursery Light Holders or Night Light Stand, ca. 1900, maker unknown
This simulated cut crystal design was made in a three-part mould, and has been remarkably well finished, so that the three ‘fault lines’ are...[read more]
Candlestick, ca. 1890, possibly by Burtles & Tate
The firm was founded in Manchester in 1858 at Poland Street Glass Works, in the Oldham Road area. It specialised in flint glass, coloured glass and...[read more]
Flower Troughs, ca. 1890, possibly Sowerby
These flower troughs would surround a central Comport, containing a simple arrangement of short stemmed flowers, as the Epergne fell out of fashion....[read more]
Pony and Cart, ca. 1880
Probably made by W.H. Hepple, of Newcastle, who took over an existing glass works in 1874, and registered 12 designs, before going out of business in...[read more]
