On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Basket

1888 (design registered)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Glass baskets were used to display flower posies on the dinner table, but could also be used to serve sweets.

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.

Design
The pattern is made in imitation of expensively cut lead glass. Pressed glass never rivalled the prismatic brilliance and precision of real cutting, but it provided a cheap substitute, affordable to all but the poorest.

People
This basket was made by 'George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works' at Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Founded in 1867, they soon became one of the most famous and prolific manufacturers of pressed glass in Britain.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Press-moulded glass
Brief description
Basket, England (Gateshead-on-Tyne), Design registered by Thomas Davidson for Geo. Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, 1888-1910, C.180-1983 .
Dimensions
  • Height: 15cm
  • Width: 21cm
  • Depth: 21cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/02/2000 by JC
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Registration number for 31/3/1888 (Registration number)
Credit line
Gift of M. J Franklin
Object history
Made by George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Production
design registered by Thomas Davidson
Summary
Object Type
Glass baskets were used to display flower posies on the dinner table, but could also be used to serve sweets.

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.

Design
The pattern is made in imitation of expensively cut lead glass. Pressed glass never rivalled the prismatic brilliance and precision of real cutting, but it provided a cheap substitute, affordable to all but the poorest.

People
This basket was made by 'George Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works' at Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Founded in 1867, they soon became one of the most famous and prolific manufacturers of pressed glass in Britain.
Collection
Accession number
C.180-1983

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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