Applied decoration covered in this section, is the applying of molten glass onto the body of an article and manipulating it in a decorative manner. In general it will not cover the application of handles or the application of glass threading, trailing, dabs and canes which will be covered elsewhere.
The earliest form of applied decoration was the application of blobs of glass that were moulded with a design by the use of a prunt or die. These were decorative but also functional imparting more grip to a shiny cylindrical vessel.
The Victorian applied decoration was of a rustic floral nature but often incorporated fish reptiles and butterflies. This type of glass was manufactured by all the Stourbridge glass makers large and small, with varying degrees of skill. Henry Gething Richardson, Stevens & Williams and Thomas Webb were the leaders of this fashion. Their applied art glass was in a league of its own when it came to detail, so much so that any glass with applied decoration that comes to the market is labelled as Stevens & Williams even though it is frequently inferior and of continental origin.
To compete with the cheaper continental manufacturers, Stevens & Williams and Thomas Webb used smaller factories like Harrop and Smart Brothers to produce ranges of similar styled every day glass.
Boulton & Mills built a reputation for their life like application of fruit and flowers in a distinctive style. Unfortunately there are no archive records to provide the detail of their creations.
Stuart Crystal are not normally associated with applied work but they did produce some beautiful pinched work and acanthus leaves.
