Information on Thomas Webb & Sons including a gallery of glass items made by the firm and makers mark. Thomas Webb & Sons was an English glass company, founded in 1837 by Thomas Webb (1804-1869) near Stourbridge, England. The name T. Webb & Co. was adopted in 1842, and later became Thomas Webb & Sons. Webb operated the Platts glasshouse from 1837 to 1856 and then the Dennis glassworks from 1855 to 1990.
The company, known originally as the “Crystal King of England,” was noted for the high quality of its Cameo glass. Cameo glass is created by a process of etching and carving through a layer of opaque white glass, leaving a white relief design on a darker colored glass body. Some pieces used two layers of etched glass to create a three-color Cameo glass product. In the 1870s John Northwood produced the first pieces, inspired by the Portland Vase. George Woodall would produce the most distinguished Webb Cameo work towards the end of the 19th century.
The finest and most valuable pieces were signed with “GEM CAMEO” included in the mark – Roman cameo glass was itself an imitation of the luxury art form of the cameo engraved gem. Reference: Wikipedia
A Thomas Webb and Sons cameo vase by Lionel Pearce, circa 1900-1904 Of baluster form and from the ‘Sylvandale’ range, the transparent body cased in light blue, light green and dark green, acid-etched to create a continuous woodland landscape set below a cloudy sky, 24.7cm high, ‘Lionel Pearce’ inscribed on base
Sold for £2,500 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2017
Sherry glass, clear glass, blown, acid-etched with sphinxes, lotus and papyri, the stem faceted. Made by Thomas Webb & Sons biography Date1870 (circa)
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
A THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO GLASS VASE CIRCA 1900, ACID ETCHED THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO MARK Acid-etched with intricate scrolling flowers and foliage, the yellow glass wall overlaid in opaque white with a stalk of cinquefoil flowers, the reverse with a butterfly 10 ¼ in. (26 cm.) high
Sold for USD3,000 at Christies in 2018
Thomas Webb & Sons Blue and White Cameo Glass Globular Perfume Bottle with Ball Stopper Late 19th/early 20th century Acid etched stamped signature THOMAS WEBB & SONS. Height 5 3/4 inches.
Some light superficial scuff marks to the body of the bottle; small shallow flake loss to white outer band at top of the neck area; some small interior trapped air bubbles in the glass, in the making, not of consequence; bottom portion of stopper has a matte finish and a bevelled edge – may or may not have been reduced; felt affixed to underside.
Sold for $1,250 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2017
Good Thomas Webb & Sons cameo and cut glass center piece. Three tri-color cameo medallions are each artistically carved with either roses & tulips, daisies or strawberry plants visited by either a honey bee or a butterfly hand carved in white over red over frost. Inbetween are arched panels each wheel cut with the popular Harvard pattern joined by clear tusks. Measures 3 1/4 inches by 8 1/2 inches in diameter. Wheel cut rays below the base. Teensy inside rim nick. Marvelous workmanship combining two mediums, hand cut glass and carved cameo.
Sold for $1,600 at Humler & Nolan in 2018
Vase Factory:Thomas Webb & Sons (British, 1837–1990) Designer:Designed and engraved by George Woodall (1850–1925) Date:late 19th century
George Woodall is considered the best of the glass cameo cutters who worked for Thomas Webb and Sons.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Vase English about 1870 Thomas Webb
Yellow with white overlay of lilies and their corms, butterfly at back: pine cones and branches on narrow bulbous neck
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
A THOMAS WEBB TWO-COLOUR CAMEO GLASS VASE CIRCA 1890 of globular form, the red body overlaid in opaque white and carved with a blooming wild rose spray and a butterfly, acid-stamped THOMAS WEBB & SONS CAMEO mark. height 7 1/2 in. 19.1 cm
Sold for 2,375 USD at Sothebys in 2016
‘Bronze’ glass, dark blue-green glass, moulded ribs, iridised surface, enamelled and gilt vase by Thomas Webb c1880s
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Thomas Webb Makers Mark
