Jug

1876 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This thinly-blown elegant jug is a supremely functional shape in Powell's perfected green glass. Although usable for water, for instance, it was not made as part of a set and would have been seen as highly decorative. Although it has no direct precursors, its design shows the influence of Powell's interest in Renaissance Venetian glass.

Materials & Making
This blown-glass jug is decorated over the lower part of the body with trailed lines of white glass which have been carefully pulled into scalloped loops with a pointed tool and then smoothed by rolling on a flat metal surface (a 'marver') while soft. The remaining decoration around the shoulder and neck is of trailed lines of glass left raised, as applied.

People
In the late 1860s and early 1870s, the family-run glasshouse of James Powell & Sons in Whitefriars, London was joined by the latest generation. Each brought different skills to the company. Harry Powell was especially important as a designer and travelled throughout Europe studying historic glasses in museums and in galleries through the medium of paintings. He made detailed sketches and on his return to London he supplied the family glassworks with a wealth of designs for tablewares, based on the historic glasses he had seen on his travels. The company often made similar glassware, like this jug, without his direct input.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Green glass, with blue threading and combed white threading marvered in; pressed prunt at the base of the handle
Brief description
Glass jug, England (London), made by J. Powell & Sons, 1876
Physical description
Purchased from the manufacturer. The technique of trailing on coloured glass, in this case white, and "combing"it into patterns was more common in the 1890s. This is an unusually early example of the technique.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21.9cm
  • Including handle width: 14.5cm
  • Depth: 12cm
  • Base diameter: 7.6cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 18/12/1998 by tb
Style
Gallery label
Purchased from the manufacturer. The technique of trailing on coloured glass, in this case white, and 'combing' it into patterns was more common in the 1890s. This is an unusually early example of the technique.
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
Glass by J. Powell & Sons took much of its inspiration from 16th-century Venetian production. Harry Powell, the director, had a special interest in historic glass and collected ideas for production from many different sources. The technique of hand-blown glass encouraged the elegant, organic shapes characteristic of Arts and Crafts glassware in which craft skills were especially admired.
Object history
Made in London by James Powell & Sons at the Whitefriars Glass Works
Production
Conservation with Wendy Evans MoL 3.12.93
Summary
Object Type
This thinly-blown elegant jug is a supremely functional shape in Powell's perfected green glass. Although usable for water, for instance, it was not made as part of a set and would have been seen as highly decorative. Although it has no direct precursors, its design shows the influence of Powell's interest in Renaissance Venetian glass.

Materials & Making
This blown-glass jug is decorated over the lower part of the body with trailed lines of white glass which have been carefully pulled into scalloped loops with a pointed tool and then smoothed by rolling on a flat metal surface (a 'marver') while soft. The remaining decoration around the shoulder and neck is of trailed lines of glass left raised, as applied.

People
In the late 1860s and early 1870s, the family-run glasshouse of James Powell & Sons in Whitefriars, London was joined by the latest generation. Each brought different skills to the company. Harry Powell was especially important as a designer and travelled throughout Europe studying historic glasses in museums and in galleries through the medium of paintings. He made detailed sketches and on his return to London he supplied the family glassworks with a wealth of designs for tablewares, based on the historic glasses he had seen on his travels. The company often made similar glassware, like this jug, without his direct input.
Other number
1120 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Accession number
548-1877

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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