Not currently on display at the V&A

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.

In 1889 George Davidson patented a new production method for two new colours, under the name of Primrose and Blue 'Pearline'. The novelty of this extremely popular line was that the colour of each piece gradually changed from clear at the bottom to opaque at the top.

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

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
'Pearline' pressed glass
Brief description
Basket, England (Gateshead-on-Tyne), made by Geo. Davidson & Co., Teams Glass Works, 1888-1900, C.185-1983 .
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.0cm
  • Maximum width: 22.7cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/08/1999 by jc
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Registration number for 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
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.

In 1889 George Davidson patented a new production method for two new colours, under the name of Primrose and Blue 'Pearline'. The novelty of this extremely popular line was that the colour of each piece gradually changed from clear at the bottom to opaque at the top.

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.185-1983

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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