Featured Stevens & Williams Mat-Su-Noke Art Glass Rosebowl & Tapestry Bowl

As many of you know, for almost three years it has been my heart's desire to acquire a real Stevens and Williams applied decoration glass piece ever since I was first introduced to their pieces on this forum. It's funny how a certain type of glass speaks to you. Again and again, I bought pieces and presented them here and much to my dismay, you all kindly and gently told me "No" not this time.

I then asked the advice of the esteemed @Ownedbybear and she put me in touch with Fielding Auctions, where I met Will Farmer, now Director of Fieldings Auctions. He also kindly told me 'No" a number of times too. While Fieldings Auction is a great source of Stourbridge glass, the cost of shipping, etc. would make the already costly transaction to dear.

I had to find a way to find a piece here in the US that I could afford. So next I joined Antique Stourbridge Glass website, where I found the wonderful Dilwyn Heir. I kept annoying him with possibilities until he finally broke down and agreed to hunt down something on Live Auctioneers for me. Piece after piece came up and they went over the maximum price point he gave me. UNTIL he spotted something truly special and told me to bid what I wanted. Behold, my Mat-Su-Noke Art Glass Rosebowl. I will use the Live Auctioneers photo:



Now for the Stevens and Williams Tapestry Bowl. Dilwyn wanted this piece for his collection because he didn't have this example. The day of the auction he contacted me and said that he wouldn't be bidding on it for the same reasons that I was dissuaded from getting something for across the pond, the duties, packaging, etc. was a significant additional cost. It came before the Mat-Su-Noke Bowl, so if I didn't bid on it and win either, I might not get a Stevens and Williams piece at all. I wasn't having it. I bid far too much and now it's mine.

Dilwyn told me something interesting about its creation. "I should have explained how the Tapestry was produced. The air trap was created by blowing the glass into a mould with diminishing, fish scale like arches to form depressions. This was covered with a clear layer of glass to trap the air. This was then threaded with coloured threads which were pulled up to form the waves of threads. The clear casing would have been applied by the cupping method. That is, a bowl would be made and the moulded glass on the blowing iron would be dipped into the cup/bowl to attach it and trap the air. This bowl could have already had the pulled up threads incorporated before it was attached to the moulded glass; either method would have worked."

I hope you enjoy these exquisite creations.

 

A long process! I'm glad it worked out in the end. They're beautiful.

 

Oh, result. Fieldings are great. Unlike some, they actually know their glass.

 

I LOVE the Rosebowl! Such a gorgeous mix of colors. Congrats!

 

Beautiful pieces.

 

Lovely items.

 

Well worth the hunt!

 

Congratulations! Both stunning and elegant pieces, Kiko, great hunting story too.

Wow!

 

Gorgeous pieces! And a wonderful conclusion to your journey!

 

Yes feels like it took forever. I am so happy with them.

 

Yes. I loved talking to Will Farmer. The first few auctions didn't have anything that appealed to me and the rest the price was too high. It was a very good experience and I thank you for the referral.

 

Thank you. I was really astonished too but the unusual color combinations and the way they were seamlessly applied. It delights from every angle.

 

Thank you Pearls. I have nothing like them in my collection.

 

I agree. I looked at the schlock I bought as Stevens and Williams before and I move them to the back room in embarrassment.

 

Is that not amazing. I tried to imagine this in my mind a number of time and it's beyond my comprehension.

 

Thank you Bakers. I must admit I'm glad I waited though it was agony giving up on pieces that I wanted.

 

Oh, these are gorgeous! I especially like the Mat-Su-Noke one. You were so persistent! And got what you wanted, finally. Good for you!

 

I look at them every day in wonder at the skill of the artisans. They had to be put behind glass to protect them but they are at eye level when you come in my front door with my best pieces. Thank you.