A 19th century Art Nouveau glass with Whitefriars connection – £3000 at Rowleys.
It speculated a connection with J Powell & Sons of Whitefriars, the glass factory acquired by the wine-merchant James Powell in 1834.
Glasses of this form, with free twisted stems and tulip bowls, were designed by Powell’s grandson Harry Powell at the very end of the 19th century. Similar glasses were exhibited at the Arts & Crafts Exhibition of 1906.
However, what really made this a rarity was the coloured bowl, a mix of white and purple glass.
Offered for sale by Rowleys (22.5% buyer’s premium) in Ely on March 13 – the consignors were house clearers from the Cambridge area – it made an estimate-busting £3000.
