Art Deco Sowerby Uranium Glass Butterfly Trinket Pot – c.1930s
A genuine Art Deco uranium glass butterfly trinket pot, produced by Sowerby Ellison Glassworks in the 1930s. This iconic dressing table piece features the distinctive butterfly finial lid and ornate relief decoration of flowers and butterflies around the body.
Made from Vaseline (uranium) pressed glass, it appears a soft translucent green in natural light and glows a vivid bright green under UV light. The lid and base are matching and sit together correctly, with slight movement when seated, typical of this style.
Key Features:
- Maker: Sowerby (unmarked example)
- Era: circa 1930s
- Design: Butterfly lid with floral and butterfly relief pattern
- Material: Uranium / Vaseline pressed glass
- Height: approx. 11 cm
- Width: approx. 9 cm
- Strong UV fluorescence
Condition:
This piece shows clear signs of age and use. Both the lid and base have chipping to the inner rim edges where the two pieces meet. The lid has the more significant damage, including larger rim chips and one chipped area with an inner fracture that remains intact and stable. There are also multiple flea bites around the outer rim edges. Due to the transparent nature of the glass, some of this is visible when closed.
The main body remains structurally sound and displays well.
Historical Background & Collectibility:
Sowerby was a leading British pressed glass manufacturer during the early 20th century, and their uranium glass dressing table pieces are highly collectible. Butterfly-handled examples are particularly sought after and increasingly difficult to source complete.
A rare and characterful example of 1930s uranium glass, ideal for collectors.
