Not currently on display at the V&A

Flower Trough

ca. 1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This flower trough was one of many types of pressed, or press-moulded, glass container that were cheaply made, and became widely available and popular, in the 19th century.

Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the United States of America in the early 1820s. It took only two people to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. By simply depressing a lever, a metal plunger was lowered into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Europe and Britain, giving rise to stylistic changes and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid- to late 19th century the first period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved quality while cutting costs even further.

People
This flower trough was made by George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, at Gateshead-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear. Founded in 1867, it soon became one of the most famous and prolific manufacturers of press-moulded glass in Britain.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Press-moulded glass
Brief description
Flower trough, England (Gateshead-on-Tyne), made by Geo. Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, 1890-1910, C.102-1983 .
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.5cm
  • Length: 18cm
  • Width: 5.4cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 07/07/1999 by Terry
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Marked with a lion rampant above a crest, moulded
Credit line
Gift of M. J Franklin
Object history
Made by George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, Gateshead-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Summary
Object Type
This flower trough was one of many types of pressed, or press-moulded, glass container that were cheaply made, and became widely available and popular, in the 19th century.

Materials & Making
The technique of press-moulding glass with the aid of a hand-operated machine was first perfected in the United States of America in the early 1820s. It took only two people to shape a measured quantity of hot glass in a heated metal mould. By simply depressing a lever, a metal plunger was lowered into the glass, forcing it into the patterned mould. By the 1830s this method had spread to Europe and Britain, giving rise to stylistic changes and revolutionising the availability of glassware. The technique made the mid- to late 19th century the first period of true mass production. In the 1890s the introduction of steam-powered presses improved quality while cutting costs even further.

People
This flower trough was made by George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, at Gateshead-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear. Founded in 1867, it soon became one of the most famous and prolific manufacturers of press-moulded glass in Britain.
Collection
Accession number
C.102-1983

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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