Muses
Object NameCameo Vase
Engraver
George Woodall
(English, 1850-1925)
Engraver
Thomas Woodall
(English, 1849-1926)
Manufacturer
Thomas Webb and Sons
(f. 1837)
Made FromLead Glass
Dateabout 1885
TechniqueBlown, Overlaid, Etched, Cameo-carved
SizeOverall H: 19.8 cm, Diam: 10.8 cm
Accession Number89.2.12
Credit LineGift of Juliette K. Rakow in memory of Leonard S. Rakow
Curatorial Area(s)
Exhibitions
Cameo Glass: Masterpieces from 2000 Years of Glassmaking
Woodall Cameo Millenium
Interpretive NotesThe Muses is decorated with five standing figures, more than are shown on any other Woodall composition apart from Moorish Bathers (see 92.2.10). These figures are five of the nine Muses: Euterpe (the Muse of the flute and lyric poetry), Erato (the Muse of love poetry), Terpsichore (the Muse of dancing and choral song), Clio (the Muse of history), and Thalia (the Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry). The designer (perhaps George Woodall) made a complete hash of the iconography. Euterpe is shown with a lyre instead of flutes, Thalia has flutes instead of a comic mask, and Clio holds a lyre instead of a scroll. (see George and Thomas Woodall, 92.2.10, and cameo glass in Stourbridge (89.2.11).
England, Amblecote
Provenance
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