Turnbull Teasers!

​Unknown, unattributed mysteries – puzzle pieces that tantalise and frustrate. What is it and who made it?

​In 2009 we solved several of these tantalising teasers, including Hobstar Reversed and the various patterns of "May Basket" (Duchesse, George VI Coronation, Maple Leaf, and Diamond Point / Fleur de Lys). 

Through our research we discovered the maker was Matthew Turnbull, of the Cornhill Glass Works in Sunderland (in north-east England). Click on the image on the right to read the full story of these May Baskets.

Click on the image above for the full May Basket Discovery.

​And now we can solve some more puzzling pieces with firm attributions to Matthew Turnbull - thanks to this 1951 ad in the (British) Pottery Gazette journal (shown here courtesy of Thomas Joyce and Siegmar Geiselberger / Pressglas-Korrespondenz.

Matthew Turnbull ad in the 1951 (British) Pottery Gazette journal

Four Stars (aka Star Medallion and Fan). All photos are courtesy of Dan Ruth

This marigold bowl, although seldom seen, has been a real teaser when it does turn up. Dan Ruth recently found this splendid example and he tells us that “the iridescence is a super-thick and smooth satin”.

We can now identify Four Stars as a Matthew Turnbull pattern. It is their #480, as shown in the extract below from the Pottery Gazette ad.

The pattern name Four Stars was originally given to this pattern by UK glass researcher Ron May (published in "Carnival Glass News", Spring 1985). Later, in 1998, the pattern was confusingly also called Star Medallion and Fan.

Four Stars, aka Matthew Turnbull #480

 

Diamond Spears All photos are courtesy of Colin Knowles
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This 8 inch bowl, with a similar “look” was also illustrated in the Turnbull ad in the Pottery Gazette.

We can now identify Diamond Spears as a Matthew Turnbull pattern. It is their #484, as shown in the extract below from the Pottery Gazette ad.

Diamond Spears, aka Matthew Turnbull #484

​​More Mysteries still to be solved!

​Research continues into other patterns that MAY be Turnbull patterns. There is as yet no confirmed attribution to Turnbull, only circumstantial evidence.


​Crimpit (maker unconfirmed). Pictures are courtesy of Barbara Harriman

One frustratingly, unattributed pattern that turns up in the UK very regularly is the ruffled bowl known as “Crimpit”, sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Crimpit "plate". The bowls measure around 8 inches across. It’s usually felt that the name “Crimpit” refers to the dish being crimped / ruffled, although others suggest the dishes were used for buttered crumpets!

Crimpit: intricate pattern detail

Crimpit bowl (maker unconfirmed)

In our early days of collecting in the 1980s, Crimpit bowls could be seen at mostly every antique fair – in fact we recall spotting a stack of about twenty of them in an antique shop in Surrey. If this pattern does eventually turn out to be made by Turnbull, the large number that turn up may be explained by the fact that Turnbull was known to be a supplier to the "high volume / low price" department store Woolworths.

​​​Recently Dave Richards spotted the three-footed, high-sided amber bowl in the “Crimpit” pattern shown on the right.

This gave us a significant clue to the possible maker, as the three feet have a very distinctive shape that appear identical to those on a known Turnbull piece, called “Forty Five”, shown in their catalogue (below).

Turnbull's "Forty Five" pattern

Three footed amber Crimpit bowl. Photo courtesy Dave Richards

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​Frills and Diamonds, aka Diamonds and Frills (maker unconfirmed)

​We include this pretty bowl here as the style is very similar to both the Four Stars and the Diamond Spears pieces.

The pattern is exterior, the base is complex. It was made from a one-piece mould.

The maker of this approx. 8 inch bowl is unknown, but it’s possible it could also be a Turnbull piece, although we have no firm evidence yet.

Frills and Diamonds, maker unconfirmed

More Turnbull Discoveries! Read all about our other Turnbull pattern attributions here.