A potted history of some of the greatest art glass makers from right across the globe. From Roman right up to 21-century artists.
Today, we take a dim view of imitation in the world of manufacturing. “Knockoffs” are branded unoriginal, uninspired, flimsier versions of the original. In the long-ago Kingdom of Bohemia, however, imitation truly flattered Loetz when Kralik glassworks decided to jump on the Jugendstil bandwagon in the late 1800s, mimicking the art glass techniques Loetz had […]
Kralik Glass: No Pale Imitator Continue Reading »
Sowerby Glass was the result of a succession of glass events. Carnival glass, famous for the iridescent oily-rainbow shimmer that dances colours wildly across its surface, was once one of the most popular forms of decorative glass on Earth, produced on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. It was beloved in the early 20th century
Diamonds in the Rough: The Rise and Fall of Sowerby Glass Continue Reading »
‘Wedgwood’ is a name that seldom needs further introduction; the word itself calls to mind elegance, the grace of scenes painted in delicate washes of cobalt blue, the translucence of fine china, white as bone, and the radiant prism of perfectly-cut crystal. Such is the legacy of Wedgwood’s astounding 250 year reign over the world
Waterford Wedgwood: 250 Years of British Excellence Continue Reading »
The freedom of spirit and expression that is immediately called to mind when one hears the word “Bohemia”—gipsies traipsing through wild lands in colourful dress, eschewing the trappings of money and classism to embrace music and adventure—is a natural fit with the principles of Art Nouveau, which championed a return to nature in its embrace
Loetz Glass: Jewels of Bohemia – The Art Nouveau Glass of Loetz Witwe Continue Reading »
Writing habitually about art glass and the history thereof is an experience that frequently mingles awe with a touch of sadness. The delicate beauty, intricate details, and sheer creativity that can be seen in so many great works of glass is enough to both take one’s breath away and to instil a renewed appreciation for
Caithness Glass: Highland Magic Continue Reading »
During the years that preceded World War 2 (roughly from 1920-1945), Rene Lalique’s glassmaking venture was at its zenith. The native of Marne, France, who first rose to prominence as a revolutionary creator of Art Nouveau styled jewelry, had moved on to pioneer Art Deco styled glass. His designs took the world by storm, and
Decorative Glass Bowls: Rene Lalique Continue Reading »
I have always found crystal to be uniquely magical, with its intricate facets breaking light into little shards of the rainbow, but I had little concept of where or how it was made until recently. As far as we can ascertain, crystal owes its origins to man’s desire to imitate nature; in essence, taking cues
Stuart Crystal: The Shape of an Era Continue Reading »
In every field, there are visionaries; true pioneers who open the minds of others to possibilities hitherto unthought of. Rene Lalique was, to the world of glass, one of these visionaries. Born in 1860 in the small village of Ay, in the Marne region of France, Rene Lalique would rise to the top of multiple
The Revolutionary: Rene Lalique, the Man Who Brought Glass to Art Continue Reading »
Isle of Wight Glass has a special place in my heart, and I have been collecting pieces for some years now. I started collecting Mdina Glass and then discovered Michael Harris’s Isle of Wight Glass and just adored its 1970s space-like decor. The majority of my Isle of Wight Glass pieces were bought in auctions
Isle of Wight Glass Continue Reading »
Our new collection of glass ornaments has just arrived from the far side of Eastern Europe. The master glassmaker Remigijus Kriukas has surpassed himself once again with this fine collection of Glass ornaments. Remigijus is an artist in complete control of his medium and manages to create miniature masterpieces that are impossible to fathom how
New Glass Ornaments – Just in From Lithuania Continue Reading »