Set of Six Walsh Barrel-Bowled Intaglio Cut Lead Crystal Tumblers c.1930s

This is a set of six superb-quality, highly decorated lead crystal tumblers, dating to the 1930s and produced by the Walsh factory.

The barrel-shaped bowl is made from fine lead crystal that has been decorated in a complex intaglio-cut design. There is an oval-shaped panel with a scrolled motif at the apex. Within this panel are central concentric oval lines which contain a stylised floral motif surrounded by raised diamond cutting. This design is surrounded by a scrolling stylised foliage motif which resembles hops.

The pattern repeats three times around the bowl, and between adjacent large oval panels are stylised fan cuts.

The base is thickened and polished flat. It is marked at the edge with the words ‘WALSH ENGLAND’. This mark was in use from the 1930s.

An example of this design can be seen on page 31 (fig. 81) of the book ‘The Glass of John Walsh Walsh 1850 – 1951’ by Eric Reynolds.

Each glass has a height of 10.3cm, with a diameter across the rim of about 7.6cm and across the base of about 5.1cm. There are minor variations in their dimensions due to their handmade nature.

Each glass has a liquid capacity (to the brim) of 325ml.

They have an unwrapped weight of 700g.

They are in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, although one tumbler has a small piece of grey frit in the edge of the base. This is a manufacturing artefact.