Thomas Webb Art Glass Inkwell with Tiffany Lid

1. The Glassmaker: Thomas Webb & Sons

The glass is attributed to Thomas Webb & Sons of Stourbridge, England, a world-renowned glass company celebrated for its artistry and technical innovation, especially during the Victorian era.

• “Lava” or “Brain” Pattern: This is an informal but widely used name for this particular form of glass. It is a type of textured, iridescent art glass. The surface was intentionally created to have a rough, “crackled” or “crushed” appearance, which catches the light and highlights the glass’s deep, shimmering iridescence. This technique was a signature of Webb’s high-quality art glass production. There is a neatly polished pontil on the bottom.

2. The Silver Top and Markings: Tiffany & Co.

• Mark: The mark on the collar is “TIFFANY & CO. EP”.
• Meaning of “EP”: EP stands for “Electro-Plated.” This indicates that the metal mount is silverplated, not solid sterling silver. While Tiffany & Co. is best known for its sterling silver, it did sell high-quality silverplated goods as well.
• Repoussé Floral Design: The intricate, raised floral pattern on the lid was created using the repoussé technique, where the design is hammered from the reverse side to create a low relief. This style of floral design was very popular in the late 19th century, especially in the Art Nouveau period.

3. Collaboration

The presence of the Tiffany & Co. mark on a Thomas Webb glass piece speaks to its quality and history.

• Retailer/Maker Relationship: It was a common practice for prestigious retailers like Tiffany & Co. to source high-quality goods from the best manufacturers of the day. In this case, Tiffany would have acquired the Thomas Webb inkwell and then commissioned a silversmith to create and attach the decorative silverplated top with their own company mark. This was a way for Tiffany to offer unique, high-end items under its brand name without having to produce every component in-house.