Turnbull Revelations! November 2022
Original research by G & S Thistlewood revealed in NetworK #90, November 2022.
Back in 2009 we discovered a couple of pages from a Matthew Turnbull catalogue, which enabled us to solve some long-standing mysteries as well as uncovering some fascinating fresh discoveries.
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And now we can add more! Before we go any further, for those who are not familiar with Matthew Turnbull, here is a little background information. The factory – known as the Cornhill Glass Works and located in Southwick, Sunderland, in the north-east of England – was established in the 1860s. Thomas Joyce, who researched the company, reported that Turnbull were very dependent on Woolworths (a popular department store) for their sales outlet, and when they lost that contract in 1953, Turnbull’s Cornhill Glass Works closed. |
1892 Pottery Gazette ad
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The original few pages that we found dated from c. 1930s (we believe). In 2010, a Turnbull ad from the 1951 British Pottery Gazette came to light (thanks to Thomas Joyce) and we were able to solve more Carnival puzzles through it. All the information about this is already on our website (links at the foot of this section). And now, more revelations (courtesy Tyne & Wear Museum archive) from a 1951 catalogue, published just two years before the factory closed. We will soon be updating our website to include all the new information, but for now, let’s feature the new discoveries and get them on the NetworK record.
Lyre, Original Maker’s Name SATURN (543 Range). Matthew Turnbull, England.
We are delighted that not only do we have a maker for this seldom-seen item, but we also have the original name given to the pattern line by Turnbull. It was called Saturn. A full seven-piece fruit set was made, as well as a sugar and creamer.
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REGAL, Original Maker’s Name (511 Range). Matthew Turnbull, England. We can confirm that this salad bowl (right) was made in marigold Carnival. However we don’t currently have a photo to show you. If anyone has an example that we can show, please contact us. |
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Frills and Diamonds (aka Diamonds and Frills), Original Maker’s Name STANDARD (476 Range). Matthew Turnbull, England.
In our website feature on Turnbull (based on our earlier research and discoveries) the Frills and Diamonds pattern is one that we felt could be a Turnbull piece, based on various characteristics and similarities of style. Now we have the catalogue proof to confirm our belief! Here it is in the 1951 Turnbull catalogue – pattern 476 called Standard. You can see the unusual and distinctive base of these items in the images below.
In our website feature on Turnbull (based on our earlier research and discoveries) the Frills and Diamonds pattern is one that we felt could be a Turnbull piece, based on various characteristics and similarities of style. Now we have the catalogue proof to confirm our belief! Here it is in the 1951 Turnbull catalogue – pattern 476 called Standard. You can see the unusual and distinctive base of these items in the images below.
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Above: Turnbull 1951 catalogue extracts, showing a 9½ inch plate and a full dessert set – master bowl and individual bowls, all complete with underplates.
Left: a Frills and Diamonds marigold bowl. |
Towers vase, Original Maker’s Name WINDSOR (504/T Range). Matthew Turnbull, England.
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In our book “Carnival Glass The Magic & Mystery 2” (2008) we attributed the Carnival Glass examples of the Towers vase to Matthew Turnbull, following our discussions with Davidson Glass experts, Chris and Val Stewart. The Stewarts had explained to us that the mould for this vase was named "M.T.1" and was purchased by Davidson in the mid-late 1950s after Turnbull’s glass works closed down. They confirmed that Davidson did not make any Carnival and that all iridescent versions of this item would be Turnbull’s. |
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We repeated the Turnbull attribution in our 2019 “Carnival Glass from Europe” encyclopedia eBook. And now we have catalogue proof as well as the original maker’s name! This pattern was part of a full range of shapes named Windsor, and we were amused to see that the vase was marketed both as a sugar and a posy vase (with a flower block/frog). Just remember to wash between uses!
It's interesting to note that the Windsor Range also had a variation in which a series of circles appear between the peaks. We are not currently aware of this in Carnival, but it is possible. The version with the circles was number 504 (shown right), and the Towers vase version without the circles was 504/T. |
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Hobstar Reversed, Original Maker’s Name GRANVILLE (495 Range). Matthew Turnbull, England.
A Hobstar Reversed rose bowl in marigold,
courtesy Seeck Auctions. |
Above, left: Hobstar Reversed rose bowl. 1930s Turnbull catalogue image. This shows the black glass plinth and also the matching glass flower block (holder or frog).
Above, right: Hobstar Reversed rose bowl in the 1951 catalogue. |
This is the one item that really shook us in 2009, when we first came across the Matthew Turnbull catalogue extract pages dating from the 1930s. Although we have known since 2009 that this was a Turnbull item, it was a pleasure to see the illustration (complete with floral bouquet) in the 1951 catalogue as well.
Diamond Point basket, Original Maker’s Name HANNOVER (480 Range). Matthew Turnbull, England.
This distinctive basket, on which several different patterns can be found (Diamond Point, May Basket, Maple Leaf, Duchesse, and King George) was attributed by us back in 2009, to Matthew Turnbull’s glass works. But now we also have an illustration of it in the 1951 catalogue, and the pattern name – Hannover.
This distinctive basket, on which several different patterns can be found (Diamond Point, May Basket, Maple Leaf, Duchesse, and King George) was attributed by us back in 2009, to Matthew Turnbull’s glass works. But now we also have an illustration of it in the 1951 catalogue, and the pattern name – Hannover.
Diamond Point May Basket, aka Fleur de Lys basket. Matthew Turnbull's Basket No. 480. OMN Hannover.
Photos courtesy Lesley Smith.
You can read much more about these May Baskets on our website (links at the foot of this section). |
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And here is a puzzle – Spears and Chevrons
Whilst all the previous patterns shown in this special research feature are confirmed attributions to Matthew Turnbull, we’ll close this with a puzzle.
This piece was featured in our NetworK Facebook group recently by Ann Sarah Mulford. Although we feel that it is possibly a Turnbull item, as yet we do not have the catalogue proof. The photos are all Copyright and courtesy of Sarah Ann Mulford.
Whilst all the previous patterns shown in this special research feature are confirmed attributions to Matthew Turnbull, we’ll close this with a puzzle.
This piece was featured in our NetworK Facebook group recently by Ann Sarah Mulford. Although we feel that it is possibly a Turnbull item, as yet we do not have the catalogue proof. The photos are all Copyright and courtesy of Sarah Ann Mulford.
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Spears and Chevrons, marigold, maker not yet known.
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We have only ever seen one other example of this rose bowl so clearly it is a scarce item. The pattern style, the shape, the feet and the flower block are all suggestive of Matthew Turnbull’s work – but for now, without catalogue proof, we will simply say maker not yet known. Our thanks to Sarah for enabling us to show you this intriguing item.
Further Reading
Through our research in the early 2000s, we identified that Matthew Turnbull made Carnival Glass. Here are two links to our earlier work on Turnbull:
Further Reading
Through our research in the early 2000s, we identified that Matthew Turnbull made Carnival Glass. Here are two links to our earlier work on Turnbull: