Goblet thumbnail 1
Goblet thumbnail 2
+6
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125, Edwin and Susan Davies Gallery

Goblet

1862-1863 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
The shape of this goblet appears to be unique. Philip Webb (1831-1915) has created a design that combines a flat-bottomed vessel part, typical of an elaborately coloured and enamel-painted 16th-century Venetian goblet, with a stem of six twisted canes (rods) of glass and a raised foot. But in designing it for clear glass and giving the vessel part a ribbed profile he has invented an entirely new form.

People
Webb designed a set of table glass intended for the personal use of the designer and writer William Morris (1834-1896) at Red House, Bexleyheath, Kent. The fully completed drawings for this glass are dated January 1860. It was made by James Powell & Sons of London. That first set, which no longer survives, was elaborately historicist in style and included enamel-painted decoration. By 1862 Webb was converting the more elaborate designs into a plainer range for multiple production. This goblet is from that plainer range.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glass, hand-blown and part mould-blown
Brief description
Goblet, England (London), designed by Philip Webb, and made by J. Powell and Sons, 1862-63
Physical description
This wine glass is one the range of glasses by the architect Philip Webb. They appear to have come from Morris's own home, having been commissioned by him. Cutting and engraving were frowned upon and emphasis on the natural and simple blown form characterises these glasses.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.1cm
  • Maximum diameter: 7.6cm
  • Base diameter: 7.3cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 07/07/1999 by Terry Diam of base 7.3
Style
Gallery label
  • Probably designed for Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co.
  • TABLE GLASSES
    In January 1860, Philip Webb designed enamel-painted glassware in historical style for William Morris's own use at the Red House. These were made by James Powell & Sons. By 1862, without the painting and with the shape simplified for commercial production, the glassware was sold through Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. Two of these examples were used at the Morris family's country home, Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by Mrs J. W. Mackail
Object history
This goblet is among the designs made by Philip Webb as an adaptation of his original designs for William Morris's own use at the Red HouseDesigned by Philip Webb (born in Oxford, 1831, died in Worth, West Sussex, 1915), made by James Powell & Sons at their Whitefriars Glass Works, London
Summary
Object Type
The shape of this goblet appears to be unique. Philip Webb (1831-1915) has created a design that combines a flat-bottomed vessel part, typical of an elaborately coloured and enamel-painted 16th-century Venetian goblet, with a stem of six twisted canes (rods) of glass and a raised foot. But in designing it for clear glass and giving the vessel part a ribbed profile he has invented an entirely new form.

People
Webb designed a set of table glass intended for the personal use of the designer and writer William Morris (1834-1896) at Red House, Bexleyheath, Kent. The fully completed drawings for this glass are dated January 1860. It was made by James Powell & Sons of London. That first set, which no longer survives, was elaborately historicist in style and included enamel-painted decoration. By 1862 Webb was converting the more elaborate designs into a plainer range for multiple production. This goblet is from that plainer range.
Collection
Accession number
C.263-1926

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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