Collectors Facts - Melon Rib, Crown Crystal, Australia
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Advert discovered in The Argus (Melbourne, Australia), dated July 1938
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Shapes:
Vases, various shapes, sizes
Salad set - bowls, 8 and 4 inches
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Colours:
Marigold; Smoke
Marigold; Smoke
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For years we have searched for proof about the maker of the Carnival Glass Melon Rib vases. More than anywhere, they are found in Australia, but despite there being a number of old Crown Crystal catalogues in existence, no Melon Ribs vases had appeared in them. A well-known photo of the Crown Crystal stand at the 1938 Sydney Show, with Melon Rib vases on display was persuasive, yet the vases could have been imported.
The blow-moulded form and the horizontal bulbous ribs are exactly what was illustrated in a number of European glass makers’ catalogues, Poland and Czechoslovakia in particular. So, perhaps they had been made in Europe and shipped to Australia? We know that a lot of European glass was exported there; the Polish firm, Zabkowice, even had a special name for theirs—Beverley Crystal. But the nagging doubt was the massive size of some of the Melon Rib vases, making the idea of a long ocean transport seem improbable.
So, the doubts persisted….. until in 2013, when we discovered evidence in the form of contemporary newspaper articles, reports and advertisements to show without doubt that the Melon Rib Carnival vases were made by Crown Crystal in Australia. Read the full story of how the trail of discovery led to Crown Crystal.
Shown below are two brilliant displays of Melon Rib vases in marigold and smoke. There is an amazing range of shape and size, which undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of this pattern and desirability to glass collectors.
The blow-moulded form and the horizontal bulbous ribs are exactly what was illustrated in a number of European glass makers’ catalogues, Poland and Czechoslovakia in particular. So, perhaps they had been made in Europe and shipped to Australia? We know that a lot of European glass was exported there; the Polish firm, Zabkowice, even had a special name for theirs—Beverley Crystal. But the nagging doubt was the massive size of some of the Melon Rib vases, making the idea of a long ocean transport seem improbable.
So, the doubts persisted….. until in 2013, when we discovered evidence in the form of contemporary newspaper articles, reports and advertisements to show without doubt that the Melon Rib Carnival vases were made by Crown Crystal in Australia. Read the full story of how the trail of discovery led to Crown Crystal.
Shown below are two brilliant displays of Melon Rib vases in marigold and smoke. There is an amazing range of shape and size, which undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of this pattern and desirability to glass collectors.
Photo courtesy Lesley Smith. Taken at the Carnival Glass
Collectors of Australia Association Display at Linnwood House, Sydney, November 2014. |
The beauty of a Melon Rib vase display. Courtesy of Aunty Trace in Australia.
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More Melon Rib pictures From left to right: Melon Rib vase in smoke, courtesy of Lesley Smith Melon Rib vase in marigold, 30cm / 12 inches tall, courtesy of Lesley Smith. Melon Rib salad set (large and small bowls) in marigold, courtesy of Andrew Mitchell. 
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UPDATE - June 2016.
Since we made our original, proven attribution of Melon Rib vases to Crown Crystal, more confirmatory evidence has emerged from collectors who have willingly shared their information and their pictures with us, and from our own ongoing research.
So much additional information has come to light that we have added a totally new section to our original "Read All About It - The Melon Rib Proof!" article. The full update can be found here: "Read All About It - More Melon Rib Revelations". There is a magnificent ad from the 1938 Sydney Mail that showed Crown Crystal's display at the 1938 Sydney Show, and yes Melon Rib vases are featured. They mention specifically “Mammoth Pieces in New Art Lustres”, sayng they “Originated, Designed and Produced in Australia by Crown Crystal Experts”.
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We were contacted by Marty Hoenig who sent us these pictures of two Melon Rib vases with a "Crown Lighting" label - a brilliant discovery!
The vases are 12 inches high, and the Crown Lighting label is clear. Pictures are courtesy and copyright of Marty Hoenig. 
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Jamie Sullivan sent us these pictures of a truly impressive and massive marigold Melon Rib vase. It is two and a half feet high! Jamie adds that it is 26cm (just over 10 inches) across the rim and 25cm across the base. The glass itself is quite thick at around 7mm (around a quarter of an inch). Wow!
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UPDATES
In January 2017, Gio posted on our (Carnival Glass NetworK Facebook page) a picture of a marigold Melon Rib vase - and amazingly, it still had its original Crown Crystal label on it! Here is the vase (right) and on the far right is a close-up detail of the label, which reads: "Crown Crystal Glass, Sydney. Made in Australia" The wonderful pictures are courtesy and copyright of Gio Sabino Lopez. |
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In March 2018, Joe Dragone contacted us to tell us about his smoke Melon Rib bowl - it also had a Crown Crystal label and amazingly, the label was absolutely intact! Here are Joe's great pictures of this wonderful item.
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