Execution Thomas Webb & Sons, England, late 19th century Signed. FRITSCHE, Wilhelm (William)(1853 Meistersdorf -1924)

Crystal glass, engraved and polished. H 17.5 cm.

Crystal bowl, octagonal foot. Elaborately engraved and polished with the depiction of laurel wreaths, grapes and a parrot on a fruit garland, the base of the bowl with raised leaf fans. 1 chip to 1 foot edge, 3 minimal chips to the rim.

W. Fritsche: son of the glassmaker Ignatz Fritsche (* 1820), emigrated to England at the age of 15, joined the company "Thomas Webb & Sons, Dennis Glass Works" in Stourbridge in 1868, learned the profession of glass cutter, which he practiced for 40 years as a "master engraver". Fritsche became famous "for his 'rock crystal engraving', the completely polished cut, which he carried out himself in his studio according to his own designs".

Literature : Hartmann (no year), p. 130.