John Walsh Walsh | Silver-Plated Arts & Crafts Lantern | England c.1900 | SOLD
Product Code: JAL1027An unusual arts and crafts lantern in original silver plate by an unknown designer with original vaseline glass insert by John Walsh Walsh of Birmingham. The design to the glass in his distinctive “Brocade” pattern. England c.1900
Ht.(as displayed) 74cm/29in, Ht.(min) 54/21, Ht(glass only) 20/8, Diam. 20/8
John Walsh Walsh (1850–1951)
Soho Glassworks & Vesta Glassworks (Lodge Road, Birmingham)
- John Walsh Walsh is considered one of Britain’s most influential glass manufacturing companies outside the Stourbridge Glass Quarter
- 1850: Birmingham entrepreneur John Walsh Walsh purchased the established Soho Glassworks on Lodge Road to produce his own soda water bottles.
- 1864: The founder John Walsh Walsh passed away, leaving the enterprise to be split among his children.
- 1879–1882: Following a family buyout, control transitioned to Walsh’s daughter Ellen and her husband Thomas Walker. They hired Lewis John Murray as manager, shifting production toward high-end cut crystal and art glassware.
- 1897: The company formally launched its highly iconic “New Opaline Brocade” range, which became heavily sought after for Art Nouveau lighting shades
- 1923: The factory site officially adopted the dual moniker of the Soho and Vesta Glass Works.
- 1926 (23 June): The iconic “WALSH” trademark was legally registered to combat cheap imitation imports from continental Europe.