Art Deco

Galalith is a a synthetic plastic made out of the interaction of casein and formaldehyde and was introduced to the fashion world by Coco Chanel in 1926. The commercial name is derived from the Ancient Greek words 'gala' (milk) and 'lithos' (stone).

Carving was originally done by the Seri people, a nomadic tribe of no more than 500 who live in Mexico and then by town and city dwellers from Sonora and Baja California, who embarked on the trade after the figures became commercially popular. Seri carvings were essentially hand made whereas the mass produced pieces were created with the use of power tools.

The forms are derived from the wildlife to be found in Mexico and are often abstract in style. While it may owe some elements to the use of machine tools, this carving is a fine example of the ‘ironwood’ style and is, in fact, an unusual composition with the mother and baby duck carved in one piece. The modelling is expressive and well complemented by the patina and finish of the wood. From the above, dating is clearly to the second half of the twentieth century and perhaps more to its later years if this is an example of the ‘commercial’ pieces produced at that time.

This model can be seen in the firm's catalogue for 1931 where the bowl and stand are combined with a separate pierced flower holder in the same style. No doubt the size of the ‘frog’ was up to the purchaser who could choose from a range of dimensions which probably explains the slightly different proportions here to the catalogue image which otherwise illustrates our example extremely well, even down to the milled edging to the rim of the bowl. With its archetypal shape and colouring this piece would be an excellent addition to any Art Deco collection as well as providing a striking and decorative item for a contemporary interior.

The influence of Art Deco style of this piece is clear and it does indeed date to the 1930s. The model, termed ‘Arabella’ can apparently be seen in the 1934 catalogue of the German glass manufacturers Walther and Sohne, founded by August Walther in 1888 at Ottendorf-Akrilla near Dresden. In the 1930s the firm was famous for its Art Deco designs and also produced a version of ‘cloud glass’ which at one time was held to be exclusive to the English manufacturer Davidson. But some of the English glass makers also drew on their German rival’s work such that Walther and Sohne patented some of their designs in the UK in 1937, presumably to protect their work. This centrepiece set is a classic example of Walther and Sohne’s pre war productions and a distinctive example of Art Deco glassware.

Price Bros was an earthenware manufacturer established at the Crown Works, Burslem, Staffordshire, England, in 1896 by the Price brothers. They specialised in tabletop accessories and teapots and success was rapid such that in 1934 they moved to larger premises at the Top Bridge Works in Longport, where they became known as Price Bros Ltd. A close association with another firm, Kensington Potteries, was finally cemented when the two firms merged in 1962 taking on the name ‘Price and Kensington’ and continuing to manufacture their popular wares to the present day. This vase is typical of the decorative pieces which Price Bros produced during the 1930s and, as with so much of the pottery produced at that time, it reflects the Art Deco styles, particularly in the semi abstract shape. This vase was mould made as can be seen from the joins at each side (see image 7) but there is nothing mechanical about the finished result with its pleasing combination of colour and decoration.

George Davidson founded the Teams Flint Glass Works in 1867, which later became known as George Davidson & Co. In the 1880s the company began producing pressed glass tableware in a variety of shapes and by the 1920s their designs began to reflect the new Art Deco trends. The firm continued production until the 1980s, closing in 1987. This vase is typical of their Art Deco inspired designs although is rather less commonly found today. It has the pattern number '34 'SVF', 'S' standing for 'small', 'V' for 'vase' and 'F' for 'flared rim' and was produced from 1934 to 1942 (see www.cloudglass.com). A slightly larger version was made as well with the pattern number '34' 'VF'. The swirling effect was typical of Davidson's 'cloud glass' designs, one of its most popular ranges. In mint condition, this vase might well fill a gap in a collection of Davidson pieces or pre war British glass generally.

Bagley Glass was established in Knottingly, England (south east of Leeds) in 1871. Bottle makers at first they branched out in 1912 and opened a department 'The Crystal Glass company' which made crystal and pressed glass. But it was for the latter that Bagley were to become famous and they became the biggest manufacturer of pressed glass in England in the years before and after the war. Many of their designs were influenced by the Art Nouveau styles and this flower vase, unusually presented complete with its frog and stand, is a classic example of their range.

The Sowerby family came from the North West of England near Carlisle and settled in Gateshead in the late eighteenth century. The firm Sowerby Glassworks is known from 1807 onwards and continued production until 1972, concentrating on pressed glass. Catalogues of their wares still exist and they produced pieces in a wide variety of styles and shapes which retain their popularity today.

The Sowerby family came from the North West of England near Carlisle and settled in Gateshead in the late eighteenth century. The firm Sowerby Glassworks is known from 1807 onwards and continued production until 1972, concentrating on pressed glass. Catalogues of their wares still exist and they produced pieces in a wide variety of styles and shapes which retain their popularity today.

The centrpiece figurine, which was intended as a flower holder or ‘frog’, is rather unusual; normally the figures are female but the style of the modelling is identical. Similar designs to the bowl can be found in a 1936 catalogue but versions of it even appear in another catalogue from 1882. Many centrepiece/bowl combinations are found and some of them are not always original. This may possibly be the case here but if so the ‘match’ is extremely pleasing to the eye and the two elements set one another off perfectly to produce a striking example of Art Deco decorative design.