A Maid of Athens

Object NameVase

Engraver George Woodall (English, 1850-1925)

Engraver Thomas Woodall (English, 1849-1926)

Manufacturer Thomas Webb and Sons (f. 1837)

Made FromLead Glass

Dateabout 1885

Place MadeEngland, Amblecote

TechniqueBlown, Overlaid, Etched, Cameo-carved

SizeOverall H: 26.1 cm, Diam: 11.1 cm

Accession Number89.2.14

Credit LineGift of Juliette K. Rakow in memory of Leonard S. Rakow

Curatorial Area(s)

Modern

Exhibitions

Woodall Cameo Millenium

On ViewEuropean Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

When the brothers Thomas and George Woodall collaborated on a piece, George carved the figures and Thomas designed and carved the borders. This is a fine example of their teamwork. The Woodalls signed pieces jointly from about 1880 to 1895, when, for unknown reasons, they quarreled. (see George and Thomas Woodall, 92.2.10, and cameo glass in Stourbridge (89.2.11).

Physical DescriptionOpaque white, amethyst lead glasses; blown, overlaid, etched, cameo-carved. Tall, ovoid shape; with flared rim and waisted neck; rounded base, flared foot; white overlaid on amethyst, cameo-carved to create a formal Greek-key border interspersed with triangular motifs, and a formal leaf band below; side with a full-length standing figure of a woman, in diaphanous dress, holding one arm at her chin; standing alongside a plinth with raised formal foliate design, and an urn of fruit on tripod stand, with ram's heads at the tops of the legs, and animal paw feet; a classical pitcher alongside on the pavement; signed below the plinth, at the lower right, "T. & G. Woodall" in script; on the reverse, a formal stylized foliate ornament with two dolphin; formal zigzag band with florets below; foot rim with a series of leaves; foot rim ground flat, pontil mark ground concave, with acid-etched inscription "+ A . MAID . OF . ATHENS +" in an arc, and the factory mark "WEBB" in a square with fans along the sides.
Provenance

Source Estate of Juliette K. (Mrs. Leonard S.) Rakow (d. 1992) - 1989-06-07