Bayel, Clairey and Fains, in France (“Bayel")

by Glen Thistlewood and John Hodgson

John's Moulé Médaillons bowl in marigold

As we studied the 1927 and 1928 Bayel catalogues we saw the word irisé - iridised - in other words, Carnival Glass. First we saw some blow-moulded items and then some pressed perfume bottles. And then John Hodgson spotted a catalogue image from the Bayel 1927 catalogue showing a "mystery" bowl that he owns - Moulé Médaillons. Above is John Hodgson's photo of his marigold bowl in this pattern, and the catalogue page that caught his attention.

And then we started to look more closely at other Bayel catalogues. John spotted the word “IRIS” in the list of colours shown in the 1886 catalogue, meaning of course, iridised glass – Carnival. We know that the process of iridising the finish on glass was first developed in 1856 in Czechoslovakia and indeed, in the 1870s, Webb’s of England brought out their Webb's iridised green/purple Bronze and marigold Iris glass. It was publicised and exhibited and other glassmakers undoubtedly copied the effect. And so here we have a catalogue entry showing that iridised glass was being produced at Bayel in 1886.

Another interesting feature in the Bayel catalogues over the period from 1886 to 1923 was a series of candlesticks, shown below.

Although they are not identical to the Thebes (aka Patrician) candelstick made by Marinha Grande, in Portugal, they show many similarities. As we have found with other glassmakers around the world, there were many similarities, design links (or even plagiarism!) and in some cases actual links between their owners. We feel there is more to be found out about Bayel........

Catalogue images on this page are courtesy of Siegmar Geiselberger and Pressglas Korrespondenz (see Links).

Copyright ©  G&S Thistlewood and John Hodgson 2009