Bristol Glass.

As the manufacture of enamelled glass in Bristol is so intimately mixed up with that of pottery and china, it may be interesting to add a few words concerning it. In 1761 there appears to have been, according to Evans, “fifteen large houses employed in that manufacture.” The main source of information concerning the manufacture is gained from the books and papers of Michael Edkins, to whom I have referred in my notice of the delft-ware pottery. For the particulars gleaned from these papers I am indebted to his descendant, Mr. William Edkins. The ledger commences in May, 1761.

The glass made at Bristol appears to have been principally white, of different shades, and was made in a great variety of articles, including teapots, jugs, cream ewers, beakers, &c. The commoner varieties of decorative glass were painted in a rapid style with varnish colour, and submitted to a gentle heat, just sufficient to fix it on the surface. This, of course, soon rubbed off in use, and on the examples which are still remaining the patterns have almost disappeared.

The highest class of goods produced by Mr. Edkins was beautifully and perfectly enamelled, the colours were remarkably good, and thoroughly incorporated into the glass. Examples of this kind are very rare, but one or two specimens still remain in the family and are highly prized.

As the prices charged by Michael Edkins for painting on glass, and for enamelling, naturally become a guide to the prices he had been paid as a painter on delft-ware, and further as a guide to the prices of painting on china at that time, I append a few extracts from his ledger, which will be read with interest by collectors. For these extracts I am indebted to Mr. William Edkins, of Bristol, grandson of the painter, who has the original book in his possession. The accounts for painting and enamelling on glass extend from April, 1762, to December, 1787. The following are a few of the items:—

1762.£s.d.
April 26.To 5 long dozn. Aml.[101] Beakers0100
May 3.To 3 do. basons, cans, & cream jugs060
„  5.To 3 Do. sorted blue ware0120
„  10.To 2 Lg. dzn. Amell ware040
„  12.To 1 Lg. dzn. Aml. Beakers020
„  14.To 20 Sugar dishes & covers026
June 12.To 5 Lg. dzn. Aml. ware0100
„  17.To 1 Dn. blue pint bowls080
„  19.To 1 sett Jar & Beakers 5 in a Sett026
July 15.To 8½ Long dzn. Amell sorted0170
„  19.To 4 blue jars & Beakers with Mosaick border, to match a large sett for Mr. Wilson020
„  20.To 1 do do Amell cans020
„  26.To 1 pint blue can ornamented with gold and letters008
„  30.To Amell 12 pint cans020
Sept. 4.To 6 setts blue jars and Beakers with mosaick borders 1s. 6d. sett090
„  13.To 12 blue quart canns 6d. each060
Dec. 3.To 3 long Dozen cream Bucketts 2s.060
„  3.To 12 sett large blue Jars & Beakers0180
1763.
Feb. 11.To 15 long dozn. sorted Blue ware100
April 13.To 10 „ „ Do. Do.200
May 31.To 12 small blue jars & covers 4d.040
June 24.To 1 pint Blue Can with name John Vowell006
Aug. 18.To 6 Enamell pint Cans—wrote “Liberty & no Excise” 4d.020
„ „ To 6 Cannisterrs blue 6d.030
Oct. 18.To 1 dozn. Canns & Milk jugs011
Nov. 12.To 12 Wash hand Tumblers 4d.040
„ „ To 12 Saucers 4d.040
„ „ To 6 Flower bottles010
1765.
May 28.To 2 blue pints “Mary & John Vowell”010
1766.
Aug. 20.To 12 long Dozen fine Wine—wrote “Pitt & Liberty” 3s. Dozen1160
1767.
Dec. 4.To 3 large setts Enamell richly ornamented with Gold and Flowers 5s. sett0150
1769.
Sept. 22.To 3 pair blue Cornucopias ornamented with gold 1s. pair030
1773.
Aug. 25.To 84 blue wash hand basons & Plates0140
1775.
Aug. 23.To 24 large Shades, with a large gold border at top and the bottom rim gilded300
1787.
Dec. 10.To Ornamenting 1 Enamell Jar with Gold [last Entry in Ledger]010