An episode of the Antiques Roadshow filmed at Kenilworth Castle and screened in 2021 featured two exquisite pieces of engraved glassware; a charming scent bottle and an ‘unfinished’ cameo plaque/plate. The visitor explained that these were two family pieces and that her great grandfather was Frederick Englebert Kny ‘a well known glass engraver in Stourbridge.’ Well, Roadshow expert Will Farmer lost no time in telling her what important objects these were, valuing the scent bottle at £1,500 and the ‘unfinished’ plate at a whooping £10-15,000.
The visitor was astounded, as we were when Noel found Frederick’s grave in Radnor Street Cemetery in 2019. What was he doing in Swindon at the time of his death in 1905?
Death of Mr F.E. Kny of Wordsley
The sudden death of Mr Frederick Englebert Kny of Camp Hill House, Wordsley, last week, came as a great shock to his family and friends. A short time since Mr Kny had complained of feeling somewhat run down, and on consulting his medical adviser, Dr. Grindlay, a change of air was recommended, and arrangements were accordingly made for a visit to his eldest daughter, Mrs Santley-Jones, Paradwys, Lansdowne Road, Swindon, Wilts, who came over this day fortnight and returned the same day with her father. During the ensuing week he took short walks accompanied by his daughter, and it was on nearing home, after one of these on Thursday evening, the 30th ult., that he suddenly stopped. Mrs Santley-Jones at once saw that her father was very unwell, and on his being conveyed to the house, medical aid was speedily summoned. Unhappily this proved of not avail, and he expired in a few minutes. The funeral took place at the cemetery, Swindon, on Monday last, amidst many manifestations of grief and sorrow.
Mr Kny was a native of Bohemia, and migrated to London in the sixties, where he shortly afterwards met the late Mr Wilkes Webb, at that time senior partner in the firm of Thomas Webb and Sons, Dennis Glass Works, under whom he held an important and responsible position for many years.
He was recognised as an artist of no mean ability, and by those qualified to judge was considered the best figure engraver yet known. His work was always of the highest order, and without doubt the local glass industry will be the poorer by his loss. Many of his designs were beautifully conceived and carefully executed, and it has often been said that the great care and attention he bestowed upon them never really brought its proper reward.
Among his numerous achievements may be mentioned that of the Halton Industrial Exhibition in 1868, when a piece of his workmanship gained the silver medal, and was purchased by Sir Anthony de Rothschild. At the Wolverhampton exhibition of 1869 the beautiful design representing the British Queen Boadicea resisting the Roman forces, was favourably commented on by the Daily Post in the following terms… “If the engraver is not English his influence is none the less valuable, and we honour those captains of industry in glass. The works of such an able artist will stimulate and instruct English artisans in the decoration of glass and educate them.”
Again in 1876 the Worshipful Company of Glass Merchants, of London, awarded a medal to him for his original and artistic work. Awards were also gained at Paris and London exhibitions, the most important piece of work being some copies of the Elgin Marbles engraved in relief and executed on a handsome claret jug. Another specimen greatly admired by most of the leading art critics at the time of its execution was one entitled “The council of the gods.”
Always of an obliging and unassuming disposition, Mr Kny never entered the field of politics or municipal matters. Although well informed upon all the chief topics of the day, his attention was solely devoted to the perfecting of new ideas in connection with his work. Deceased leaves a widow with fours sons and five daughters to mourn his loss.
The Advertiser, Saturday, April 8, 1905.
Frederick Englebert Kny was buried on April 3, 1905 in grave plot E8037 where he lies alone (and as Noel points out, the wrong date is inscribed on the headstone).
Radnor Street Cemetery 