Posted 11 years ago
dasullywon
(62 items)
Hello friends. This is a very nice Kew Blas bowl and underplate that I used to own, and I normally wouldn't post an item I don't own any more but I am trying to help JayHow solve his mystery bowl, which has a similar shape that I am guessing is Kew Blas after all. This bowl and plate are almost an exact copy of a Steuben design, and are very similar to Tiffany as well. Kew Blas was know to imitate both, and their production was often thicker and heavier than their upscale counterparts. I just wanted to show this signed example as one more piece of the identification puzzle. Note the similarity of the color in the underplate! Do we have a match JayHow?
You are welcome, I'm just surprised I didn't think of it sooner. :)
I was away at dinner, what did I miss? I may have sold this one to Sean, it was last year I think. Appleton WI sounds familiar. If that's what you mean I'm glad you like it. Otherwise you're out of luck my friend.
I have only viewed a few items on the Corning Glass museum site, and they do have some Kew Blas in their collection. I have not done any research there, but it is a good place to start because they are experts on American art glass of the day. I have also been there in person (I am from NY originally) but it was years ago. It would be a long drive for me now, so thank heavens for the internet! I do not know of any good reference books on Kew Blas, but they might exist. Small company that was not in business for a long time, so maybe it's a project that is waiting to be done. You have probably already discovered that information on and examples of Kew Blas are a bit scarce. liveauctioneers has a total of 85 items in their archives, and only 13 bowls! This is opposed to thousands of Tiffany and Steuben examples. So research on your bowl will be difficult I'm afraid. But we might get lucky. :)
Yes JayHow, on looking back I should have kept it. Oh well!
I think you have a BINGO there.
Kew Blas art glass was made by Union Glass Co. of Somerville, Mass. which was in business for a long time. However the Kew Blas line was only made briefly and in limited quantities. It was first produced in 1893 so that means they were second after L. C. Tiffany to produce iridescent art glass.
Thanks Frank, I knew the Union Glass connection but the date is interesting; a little earlier than I thought. I have only owned a couple of Kew Blas (anagram of William S. Blake) pieces, and now all I have is a tall compote that is VERY heavy. In fact I attributed it to Kew Blas, so maybe I'll post it soon. It has some finish problems but has a very cool shape. Thanks again!