Thomas Webb & Sons Tri-Layer Cameo Vase

Of all the glassworks produced in the late 19th century, cameo glass was the most challenging to perfect. Only a handful of artisans succeeded in mastering this intricate craft, with the firm of Thomas Webb & Sons standing out as the most accomplished. Webb’s cameo masterpieces surpassed those of their major French contemporaries in finesse and artistry. At Webb & Sons, the renowned brothers Thomas and George Woodall managed the cameo glass operations, ensuring the creation of glassworks elevated cameo glass to new heights.

This intricately crafted vase exemplifies Thomas Webb & Sons' unparalleled expertise and artful taste. The shapely vase features a slender neck with a body that curves gracefully, with a striking color palette of bold red and soft yellow. The red overlay was delicately carved away in an undulating pattern to reveal the yellow glass beneath, as well as carved into high relief to render flowering branches of chrysanthemums of peonies.

Born into a lineage of glassmakers, Thomas Wilkes Webb founded Thomas Webb & Sons in 1837, revolutionizing the market with high-quality engraved crystal and colored glass. His significant contributions earned him the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and the company gained renown as "The Crystal King of England." After his death in 1869, his sons Thomas, Charles, and Walter further elevated the company by improving working conditions and fostering creativity among their craftsmen. They hired notable artisans Thomas and his brother George Woodall, as well as art director James O’Fallon, who played pivotal roles in developing new cameo glass designs. The Woodall brothers, the master cameo artists, were instrumental in the success of Thomas Webb & Sons. Renowned for their intricate and refined cameo work, Woodall’s works are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs, solidifying his legacy within the world of fine glassmaking.

Circa 1890

6 1/2” high x 4 1/2" diameter

Provenance:
Probably, Dr. and Mrs. Leonard S. Rakow Collection (by 1982)
Private collection, New York
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

Literature:
Sidney M. Goldstein, Cameo Glass: Masterpieces from 2000 Years of Glassmaking, Corning 1982, pp. 87, 122, no. 112, illustrated.

Exhibited:
New York, The Corning Museum of Glass, Cameo Glass: Masterpieces from 2000 Years of Glassmaking, May 1-October 31, 1982, no. 122.