This piece is quite large for a true rose bowl, being 8.5” long by 6.5” deep by 4.5” tall.  It was most likely made as a center bowl or vase.  Since the English glasshouses didn’t make "rose bowls” only producing vases and it meets the definition of a rose bowl as set forth by Ms. Johanna S. Billings, thus we are including in our website. 

 

As per Mervyn Gulliver, page 274 “It is very difficult to attribute decorative designs to this company” (Boulton & Mills) “as only one pattern book and one trade catalogue, illustrating engraved and etched jugs, goblets, dishes, flower stands and vases are currently known to have survived.  However, the Registered Designs that they recorded up to 1914 do give some indication of the range of decorative glass that they produced.” 

 

This particular piece of glass carries an English RD prunt, similar to but not the same as the one shown in Gulliver’s book on page 51, as a “Registered Diamond prunt” on an item made by Thomas Webb & Sons.  Mr. John Scherz made the attribution be means of the Boulton & Mills’, February 5, 1885, Registered Design #21616 “Design for decoration of glass.”   This RD is also illustrated in Gulliver’s book on page 275. 

 

If we dismiss or ignore the quality and artistry of this piece of glass, it is still very rare since it is one of very few pieces that can positively be attributed to Boulton & Mills.  This piece has been on loan to and displayed at the Broadfield House Glass Museum of Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK.  It was formerly part of Mr. Andy Stone’s and Mr. Rob Brunton’s  Collection and prior to that it resided in Ms. Linda Kelsey’s Collection.  Ms. Kelsey was a noted and respected art glass collector and dealer in the UK.