Thomas Webb & Sons Two-Color 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, the renowned brothers Thomas and George Woodall managed the cameo glass operations, ensuring the creation of glassworks that were exquisite and exceptionally rare on the market today.

This intricately crafted vase exemplifies the expertise and ingenuity for which Thomas Webb & Sons became so revered. The vase's petite ovoid shape curves gracefully, overlaid in translucent red and opaque white that is carved through to the light pink glass beneath. The beautifully detailed hand-carved pattern includes masterful trompe l'oeil drapery around the neck along with an array of blossoming flora and fauna. On each side, majestic birds dive for fish in the water below them, framed by flowering chrysanthemums and lifelike gnarled branches.

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.

Circa 1885-90

7 1/2” high x 6 3/4” wide x 3” deep

Private collection, New York
M.S. Rau, New Orleans