DIANA AND NYMPH BATHING A FINE THOMAS WEBB CAMEO PLAQUE by George Woodall, Amblecote, circa 1878

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Description

engraved and gilt 'G. Woodall', paper collector's label inscribed CG-10 and another label inscribed F1499
25.7cm., 10in.

signed, the circular form in opaque-white over translucent dark purplish brown glass, acid-dipped and cameo-carved with two classical nude figures at the water's edge, a bow and quiver of arrows to one side, within a rosette and husk border, some very slight highlighting to the figures in gilding

Provenance

Dr. and Mrs. Leonard S. Rakow Collection, and thence by descent

Exhibited

Corning Museum of Glass, New York, 1st May-31st October 1982, 'Masterpieces from 2000 Years of Glassmaking', no.69

Literature

S.Goldstein, L.S.Rakow and J.K.Rakow, Cameo Glass. Masterpieces from 2000 Years of Glassmaking, p.76, fig.69 and p.115

Catalogue Note

The subject is taken from Le Bain du Diane, by François Boucher now in the Louvre, Paris (see Goldstein and Rakow, op.cit., p.56, fig.34). For a Woodall cameo vase and cover of the same colour decorated with the same subject, see G.Beard, Ninetenth Century Cameo Glass, p.113, pl.113, fig.33 and p.82, no.32 for the entry in the Woodall price book where it is described as 'Diana and Nymph' or 'Diana Bathing' (W2718, designed in 1878, selling price £105).

The present lot is probably that listed in the original Thomas Webb & Son's Price Book (see C.Perry, The Cameo Glass of Thomas and George Woodall, p.126) as a family piece - 10" white on purple plaque: Diana and Nymph Bathing' - erroneously signed 'G Woodall 1878'. According to Perry this piece was never paid for and was not for sale. It is believed that it was an experimental piece which was given away by the family in 1900 and may thus predate the vase of the same subject mentioned above.