Wine Glass

after 1862 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This delicately-shaped glass for white wine relies on the simplest of glass blowing techniques and manipulation for its success. The wavy profile of the bowl and the twisted stem, suggest Renaissance Venetian glass, but the shape, as a form specifically for white wine, seems to be Philip Webb's own.

Design & Designing
By 1860, the architect Philip Webb had designed elaborately decorated glassware for William Morris's personal use at the Red House. In 1862-1863, these were re-designed into a much simpler range for commercial production by James Powell & Sons Glass Works and were sold exclusively through Morris, Marshall Faulkner & Co. Their simplicity probabaly appealed to very few and Powells were apparently unwilling to risk retailing the glass themselves. However, by the early 1870s customers' tastes had changed and Powells were confident enough to commission Thomas Jackson to add substantially to the range. Jackson's designs drew heavily on Webb's earlier ideas, especially on the wavy outline of this wine glass.

People
This glass was bequeathed to the Museum by William Morris's daughter, May. May Morris continued to live in the Morris family's country home, Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire, to the end of her life. The provenance therefore suggests the possibility that this glass, and others in the bequest, may have been chosen by William Morris or his wife Jane.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glass, hand-blown and part mould-blown
Brief description
Table glass
Physical description
Designed by Philip Webb for William Morris, made by J. Powell and Sons. Made for Kelmscott Manor. May Morris Bequest
Dimensions
  • Bowl diameter: 6.9cm
  • Foot diameter: 6.4cm
  • Height: 13.3cm
Height 12.7 cm Dimensions checked: Measured; 07/07/1999 by Terry
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
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.
Credit line
Bequeathed by Miss May Morris
Object history
Probably designed by Philip Webb (born in Oxford, 1831, died in Worth, West Sussex, 1915) and made by James Powell & Sons, Whitefriars Glass Works, London
Summary
Object Type
This delicately-shaped glass for white wine relies on the simplest of glass blowing techniques and manipulation for its success. The wavy profile of the bowl and the twisted stem, suggest Renaissance Venetian glass, but the shape, as a form specifically for white wine, seems to be Philip Webb's own.

Design & Designing
By 1860, the architect Philip Webb had designed elaborately decorated glassware for William Morris's personal use at the Red House. In 1862-1863, these were re-designed into a much simpler range for commercial production by James Powell & Sons Glass Works and were sold exclusively through Morris, Marshall Faulkner & Co. Their simplicity probabaly appealed to very few and Powells were apparently unwilling to risk retailing the glass themselves. However, by the early 1870s customers' tastes had changed and Powells were confident enough to commission Thomas Jackson to add substantially to the range. Jackson's designs drew heavily on Webb's earlier ideas, especially on the wavy outline of this wine glass.

People
This glass was bequeathed to the Museum by William Morris's daughter, May. May Morris continued to live in the Morris family's country home, Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire, to the end of her life. The provenance therefore suggests the possibility that this glass, and others in the bequest, may have been chosen by William Morris or his wife Jane.
Collection
Accession number
C.81-1939

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Record createdJune 3, 1999
Record URL
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