Molineaux Webb 20th Century Cut Glass

Little is known about 20th century cut glass from the Manchester area - who produced it, where it was sold.

Fortunately we have been contacted by the descendants of a George Edward Darby who once worked as a glass cutter at Molineaux Webb, probably up to his death in 1927. He was known to work at that particular factory by family word of mouth. The family have retained a portion of his work, which are thought to be samples prior to production. They also have a number of pressed pieces, two of which can be dated to registrations in 1911 and 1912.

Although the cut glass cannot be dated with any certainty, our best guess is the period from circa 1905-1925, though it should be remembered that during the First World War, no cut or pressed table glass was produced as the factory switched production to help the war effort.

Going off the company account books, they did more business with Stoniers than anyone else - a company that had a big retail outlet in Liverpool, as well as a supplier of items to cruise ships etc. It seems most likely that pieces shown here were either for retail or more specialised markets such as cruise liners.

All photographs are courtesy of the Quinn family

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