Saleroom News
Norfolk artist to sell at auction
William Absolon, the Yarmouth decorator of ceramics and glass, appeared intent on creating patriotic souvenirs. Among recent sales of his Nelson memorabilia was a 13cm high, emerald green, glass rummer gilt with his armorial. Now Cheffins has been consign
William Absolon of Yarmouth must have been patriotic and indeed had his eye on creating patriotic souvenirs. Amongst recent sales of Nelson memorabilia by him was a 13cm high, emerald green, glass rummer gilt with his armorial. This is now in Norwich Castle Museum. It is well known that the Admiral was Norfolk born but, perhaps, less well known that he landed at Yarmouth in 1800 just two years after he was given the armorial bearings of a baronet. These appear on the glass. William Absolon gave him two of these glasses in 1800. The one under discussion selling for £16,055.
Cheffins’ auction room in Cambridge has been lucky enough to have had consigned eleven deep turquoise green glasses gilt by William Absolon of Yarmouth. These have been well used but there are traces of signatures and inscriptions saying ‘Joy and Health to Cornwallis Wherever He Goes’. The latter wording is arranged about a coronet. The signature reads ‘Absolon Yarm’ and is to be found under some of the feet of the glasses.
The Time and Tide museum and Elizabethan House in Yarmouth have been most helpful in revealing other pieces by Absolon and something of his history. Apparently, his glass house stood on the north side of Glasshouse Passage in Yarmouth. There is also Glass House Row which is sometimes known as Absolon’s Row nearby. It is possible that he made glass but he is best renowned as a decorator of both it and ceramics. He must have visited the potteries and set up connections with Davenports, Turners and Worcester amongst others as his painting can be found on their wares. His business began in about 1784 and ended with his death in 1815. It must have been successful and large enough to have its own token coins minted as a copper halfpenny of 1792 can be found with an inscription on the edge reading ‘Payable at the Glass warehouse of W.Absolon’. The business specialised in gilt, painted and engraved souvenirs often with a Yarmouth and mariner leaning.
Why the inscription to Cornwallis? The family used to live at Brome Hall near Eye. In 1781, prior to Absolon getting under way with his business, Charles Cornwallis (1738-1805) had suffered the ignominy of being defeated at Yorktown by the combined American and French forces. After he had become Governor of India in 1789 respect for him changed for the better culminating in his victory over Tipu Sultan in 1792. On his return from India in that year he was created Marquess. It seems likely that it was at about this time that the glasses were commissioned by or for the Cornwallis family. The glasses have then remained in the immediate area of Eye until this time.
These 7 small glasses and 3 wine glasses will be sold in Cheffins Fine Art Sale on 5th/6th March, with an estimate of £800-1,200.