James Derbyshire Glass:
from Manchester, UK
Brought to you byThe Glass Encyclopedia
James Derbyshire was one of three brothers (James, John and Thomas) who operated glassworks in the Manchester area in the mid-19th century. James Derbyshire & Brother, of Hulme, was established in 1858; in 1867 the three brothers opened another glassworks and traded as J.J.& T. Derbyshire; and in 1876 the name changed again to James Derbyshire and Sons. Although they only operated for a few decades, this company produced some very high quality pressed glass tableware. They do not seem to have registered any new designs after the 1870s.
The vase on the left was sold as a "celery vase" and was registered in 1865 to James Derbyshire;s company. The greek key pattern on this vase was a popular motif at the time, and reappears in glassware by all their main glass manufacturing rivals (George Davidson, Moulineux Webb, the Derbyshires, and Percival Yates and Vickers plus many others). Of all the versions, this one is the highest quality, and has been described as setting the standard for those that followed.
In 1873 James's brother John set up his own glassworks, the Regent Road Flint Glass Works, Salford. Several of John's designs are very famous and highly sought, like the winged sphinx paperweight, the "Landseer" lion paperweight, the figure of Britannia, and the Punch & Judy figurines, all registered in the 1870s. John Derbyshire designs often carry his trademark, the initials JD on either side of an anchor. This company closed in 1876.
James Derbyshire was one of three brothers (James, John and Thomas) who operated glassworks in the Manchester area in the mid-19th century. James Derbyshire & Brother, of Hulme, was established in 1858; in 1867 the three brothers opened another glassworks and traded as J.J.& T. Derbyshire; and in 1876 the name changed again to James Derbyshire and Sons. Although they only operated for a few decades, this company produced some very high quality pressed glass tableware. They do not seem to have registered any new designs after the 1870s.
The vase on the left was sold as a "celery vase" and was registered in 1865 to James Derbyshire;s company. The greek key pattern on this vase was a popular motif at the time, and reappears in glassware by all their main glass manufacturing rivals (George Davidson, Moulineux Webb, the Derbyshires, and Percival Yates and Vickers plus many others). Of all the versions, this one is the highest quality, and has been described as setting the standard for those that followed.
In 1873 James's brother John set up his own glassworks, the Regent Road Flint Glass Works, Salford. Several of John's designs are very famous and highly sought, like the winged sphinx paperweight, the "Landseer" lion paperweight, the figure of Britannia, and the Punch & Judy figurines, all registered in the 1870s. John Derbyshire designs often carry his trademark, the initials JD on either side of an anchor. This company closed in 1876.
