Sowerby UK Jewelled Peacock/Scroll Embossed Amethyst Pin Tray

Sowerby were established in Gateshead-on-Tyne in Northern England in the early 1800's and became one of the foremost producers of pressed domestic and ornamental glass in late Victorian times. They produced a huge variety of goods in different types of glass including: Flint, Slag, Malachite, Ebony and Ivory ranges. They were also innovative with the development of mechanised pressing machinery and glass production techniques. Like other English glass makers they faced stiff competition at the beginning of the 20th century from the mass importation of cheaper pressed glass from the United States. One of the fashions that probably affected them most at that time would have been for the bright and sparkling Carnival Glass, which made their plainer Victorian style glass look dull and dated. Sowerby's reaction to this was to make their own Carnival glass by reusing some of their existing pressed glass moulds dating from the late 19th century.

 

One of these was the small Jewelled Peacock pin tray: a delightful little item with delicate pierced handles and an intricately cut back pattern of ribs and diamonds, radiating out on the rear surface from the Peacocks head symbol which is Sowerby's trademark and has given this pattern it's name. During the 1880's this item was originally made in plain Flint glass allowing the delicate pattern to be seen through the front surface of plain unpatterned glass. The mould design was quite unique and innovatory at the time, as it comprised of a two piece mould split horizontally at the level of the handles enabling them to be pressed with integral holes. The mould seam for this can be clearly seen on the side views of the piece. It's interesting to compare this with Northwood's Wild Rose pattern where the mould seams are vertical and a similarly shaped open work top has to be manually flattened after pressing.

 

When the moulds were first reused for Carnival Glass production in the 1920's, they were used in their original format as there are Carnival examples of Jewelled Peacock with plain interiors. However at some stage Sowerby created their own copy of Imperial's Scroll Embossed design as a new plunger and started to use it in a range of sizes for this and other Carnival items in patterns including Diving Dolphins and Pineapple. It's easy to appreciate why they selected the Scroll Embossed pattern to copy: they must have been impressed by the magnificent colour effects achieved on the Imperial products, and it's a relatively easily set out pattern of circle and arcs that can be scaled up or down to suit different items.

 

Sowerby's copy of the Scroll Embossed pattern is slavishly accurate. Whether it was sanctioned and approved by Imperial is a matter for speculation. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but sadly it has to be said Sowerby didn't generally come near to achieving a comparable eye catching iridescent effect to that of Imperial with their version. Most examples of its use, particularly on marigold items are fairly monochrome and its main effect is of adding pattern and texture to previously plain surfaces. This particular example, in amethyst glass, which is a relatively rare colour for this pattern, is exceptional in displaying such a wonderful multi-coloured iridescence.