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Cameo Glass featured in
London: heart of empire
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As did other empires, the British embraced some of the imagery and symbolism of the Roman Empire (1st century BC-5th century AD), including Roman gods and goddesses.
On the one-handled ewer (right) George Woodall, the pre-eminent cameo glass engraver and carver of the firm Thomas Webb & Sons, engraved Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, on one side and the helmeted Bellona, goddess of war, on the other side. The ewer’s shape copies that of the Roman “amphora,” clay pots made with pointed tips so they could be stored more easily on ships.
The Polar Vase was among the cameo glass carved by George Woodall for the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908. As was the case with the much more famous Crystal Palace, the Exhibition was also a trade fair, with Thomas Webb & Sons setting up a full-blown glasshouse at the fair.
The exhibition, which was held west of London, celebrated the “Entente Cordiale” (1904), marking the end of centuries of conflict between Great Britain and France. The total fair covered 140 acres, was called the “White City” (the buildings were painted white), and was also the site of the 4th modern Olympics, which were held in conjunction with the fair.
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Minerva, 1885
Colbalt blue cameo glass, metal stand
Engraved by George Woodall
Thomas Webb & Sons
Amblecote, England
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The Polar Vase, c. 1908
Cameo glass
Engraved by George Woodall
Thomas Webb & Sons
Amblecote, England
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