Identification of Thomas Webb
Burmese Decorations

Over the period of a few months, a small group of knowledgeable collectors worked to collect, identify and document the designs found on Burmese ware produced by Thomas Webb & Sons of Stourbridge, England during the Victorian era.  Many of these designs were registered by Jules Barbe during the period 1886 - 1888 and assigned a name and pattern number.   Unfortunately, however, no illustrations of these designs have been located.  In addition, some Webb designs have been subjectively identified by common botanical name in Fairy Lamps - Elegance in Candle Lighting by Ruf & Ruf.  Many other examples of Webb's designs, however, remain unidentified.

The study group collected numerous examples of decorated Webb Burmese glass and attempted to identify the pattern by common botanical name.  Where possible, the common name was selected from the list of Jules Barbe recorded designs.  If the decoration remained unidentified, it was compared with drawings or photographs of similar appearing plants until an identification was agreed upon.  While most decorations have been identified with some degree of certainty, some are only tentatively identified and few remain a mystery.

If you are unfamiliar with the Burmese decorations of Thomas Webb & Sons, you will find this information interesting and informative.  If, on the other hand, you have knowledge of Webb Burmese decorations, we need your help.  Certainly, your confirmation of the accuracy of the work accomplished so far would be helpful and welcomed.  But, most importantly, we need additional examples of known and unknown decorations, authentic Webb or Barbe documentation of any kind, botanical references to help illustrate the flora, and of course, any information related to errors in our work.

The purpose of the following examples is to bring you up-to-date on the work that has been completed by the study group so far.  As you will see, they have accomplished a great deal in the short time they have been working.  But, much work remains to be done.

The following images are courtesy of Fairy Lamp Club Members, Fairy Lamps - Elegance in Candle Lighting by Ruf, private collections.

THOMAS WEBB BURMESE GLASS DECORATIONS 

British Glass, 1800-1914 by Charles R. Hajdamach, pgs. 433-434.

Other related research materials

Barberry

Blackberry

Bramble

Chrysanthem

Clematis

Convolulus

Currant

Daisy

Dog Rose

Forget Me Not

Fuchsia

Gooseberry

Grape

Hawthorn (aka Prunus)

Holly

Honeysuckle

Hops

Ivy

Larch

Maiden Hair Fern

Mistletoe

Moss Rose

Nasturtium