View source for 2015/1.93: A mid Victorian globe and shaft form decanter with a terrestrial engraved stopper. 1860-1870s./2

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=== Glassware Collection    - Worcestershire Museum of Freemasonry===
=  A mid Victorian globe and shaft form decanter with a terrestrial engraved stopper. 1860-1870s.  = 
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[[File:2015-1.93.JPG|left|border|Click to Enlarge|link=http://catalogue.wmlmt.org.uk/share/Images/2015/2015-1.93.JPG|x400px]]
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'''WMLMT Classification:-   '''''Decanter
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=== Description ===
"Date: 1860-1870s.

Origin: Stourbridge. This form of decanter and the engraving is of exceptional quality. It is difficult to be certain, but it is believed this piece was made by Thomas Webb and Sons at their factory ‘Thomas Webb Glass Works’ on the site of the Denis Works in Amblecote. Thomas Webb endeavoured to secure the services of the finest craftsmen and was particularly successful in attracting a number of Bohemian engravers. It is thought that this piece was engraved by either William Fritsche or Frederick Englebert Kny being two of the best engravers ever from Stourbridge with each producing engraving of superlative quality and of international renown.

Style: Of ‘globe and shaft form’. The bottle is exquisitely engraved. The neck has an everted rim below which there are stylised elongated tulip flowers above a row of stylised stiff leaves. Below the leaves is a horizontal single band of forget-me-not flowers and leaves. Below that there is a series of vertical flutes with a spiral border similar to the horizontal one above of forget- me- nots and leaves. There is then a similar basal band at the bottom of the shaft. Below that and on to the globe are a series of reducing concentric circular bands with a faintly frosted surface. Below that there is a 24 inch gauge which runs completely around the globe and marked in inches and 1/8ths.    Below that there are engraved a gavel, a chisel, a square, a level, a plumb rule, a skirret, pencil and compasses being the complete set of working tools of the three degrees in craft masonry. Below the working tools are engraved seven stars equally around the circumference.

Stopper: The stopper is of particular significance. The shaft fits perfectly to provide a watertight fit. There is a scarce umbrella shaped overhanging dome which is engraved with a looped rectangular link chain with a flower head positioned in the middle of each loop. The whole has a fine diamond pattern engraved. The open edge has a dog tooth petal cut decoration. A top of the umbrella there is a band 0.6cm deep straight sided and is engraved with a double row of very small, minuet, circles of approx. 0.05 cm in diameter. The band leads to a hollow globe engraved with the parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. The axis has been swivelled so the southern portions can be viewed conveniently. The continents are etched and are in frosted form and each is clearly named save for Antarctica namely Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Australia which has New Zealand also marked. This is interesting as in 2017 New Zealand was denoted the ‘eighth’ continent and named Zealandia. The oceans are also shown and named as follows- Indian Ocean, North Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic, South Atlantic but not the Arctic Ocean which is missed off. The good reason for this is that Antarctica was not officially recognised as a continent until the 1890’s.

Base:  Engraved with a large sun and a good face where the pontil mark was probably ground out."
=== Properties ===
"Glass: Probably clear soda. 

Height: 28.5cm.

Weight: 904 grams.

Condition: Excellent. Very little wear. The odd small air bubble. One small chip to one of the dog tooths of the stopper. It has had little use."
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