E
CIRCLE OUTING – 1990
[No. 48
EDITORS
David Watts
John
TOWS
e
27
,
Raydean Road,
Barnet, Herts. ENS IAN.
25-27 Curtain Road,
London, EC2A 3PH.
October 1990
•
•
4
Our coach left London , heading for Stourbridge and the
Qystal Festival, on a lovely sunny morning. HoWever,
even after a pick-up
at
NewPort Fag*11 Service Station on
the M1 we numbered only about 20 Members
.
who enjoyed
a rather costly, although a very sociable, form of transport.
Aniving, on schedule at Stourbridge Crystal Centre – a
brand new sportscomplex, c(n.plete with a leisure
swimming pool,
were greeted by Charles Hajdarnach
who guided us inside to the Glass.Collectors Fair, probably
:the largest of its kind in the country. Some 40 dealers,
spread over three large rooms, Were selling all manner of •
glast dating from the 18th’ Century to the present day,
although only our member, John Brooks had a really good
display of 18th century glaas. The emphasis on Victorian
glass made for a dazzling displaY of colour a.s4ell as
offering a number of rare items, including Joh Derbyshire
pressed glass statuettes and several unmarked busts
in
perfect condition, to tempt those with deep enough
pockets. The
most
expensive pieces on view were
French pate de vein at abOtit 11800 each.. ,
In the foyer between the rooms was the Glass Circle
Stand,set up for the second year running by the
Watts
Roiemary,’David and Ben.. As well as flying the
Circle flag (Or, at least, a corapuief generated version of
otiflogo) and offering our now quite Considerable range of
publk’ations, they also presented atritall display of
‘
modern cOrtiriemora.tiveglasS either made in StOurbridge
or with; Stourbridge. associations. Among thae were an
Edinburgh CrYital gOblet to commemorate the 40ifil’
Anniversary of the battle of Britain (this year being*,
50th Anniversary, of .course) and a Webb Corbett goblet
commemorating the “Lion
–
de first steam railwayenginei
sent, in 1829, to Aterica and made in Stourbridge (lest we
forget that the iron and steel industry here was. ..
commercially more important than glassmaking in the 19th
century). A sincere thanks for their efforts.
At lunch our numbers swelled to about 40, including Ann
Hadjamach, formerly our Canadian member, Ann Smith
of the Environment Department, Ottawa. This was the
fu-st opportunity forinany’of us to have the pleasure of
meeting her. Lunch in the historic Talbot Hotel proved to
be a very hippy social occasion even if the buffet was not
quite up to some people’s expectations. Stourbridge is not
noted for its cuisine!
Next stop lyas Mary Stevens Park to
see
the Exhibition of.
the work of over 30 local crystal manufacturers and
engravers. Most’
f the world-renowned names one •
expected to see were there; but for anyone unfamiliar with
the area it was aneye-opelief to disCoVer the nintler of ,.
smaller firths and the diversity’ of their products on
display. Certainly, the glass industry:of the WeSt,
Midland’s appears alive and well and continues to, Ireep,up
its high standard of craftsmanship., This.was evident not
only on the trade stands hut also in the glass-cutting and
friggers competition: The glass. Antiques Road Show
was keeping the experts busy;- these included
Mr
members, Jeanette Hayhurst and Jan’ Brooks. Roger
Dodsworth was glimpsed briefly, obviously
N;CTyb14,
as
he was much involved in organising thefestival
–
week..
Doubtleas he would haVe liked to join a number of our
members whO took time off to sit down and refreSh
themselves front the Ice Cream van!
We moved on to Broadfield House Glans Museum where
we were
.
welcoined
.
by Charles Hajdamach and enjoyed a
much-appreciated, cup of tea., . Itwas here that
.
the.Circles
50th Anniversary *Strange and Rare”Exhibition was held
and the museum has found a rather special place in the
Circle’s affection: Exhibitions on display, associated with
twoof our :members were first, “A Few Nice Pieces of
Glass” from the Michael Parkinson collection anksuffice
it to say, this is an undertuitementif efenhere was one!
“(continued
2
It occupies the.two large first floor rooms of the museum –
and contains a fabulous and very-varied collection of
eighteenth andailieteenth century glass including Avery
unusual and quite superb collection of cut caddy spoons as
well as more traditional collectorsedesires such as rock
crystal, cameo and large, rare examples of Silveria.
By contrast, “Fourty Years of Lettering and Heraldry on
Glass” presented the incomparable skills ofDavid Peace;
and we were delighted to have hire with us on the outing.
His excellent booklet, superbly illustrated, guides one into
“The Architecture of Lettering” and he explained the
many and varied techniques he uses… His enthusiasm was
infectious, and we had a rare opportunity to learn, first
hand, from the master craftsman of calligraphy on glass.
All too soon we had to leave and our thanks are due to
those on the spot, Charles and Ann Hadjamach
.
and
Roger Dodsworth: also, of course, to our Hon. SeCretary,
Janet Benson, who unfortunately was not able. to be with
us but whose meticulous arrangements had ensured that
evetything Went smoothly to give us all a very full and
enjoyable day.
Tim Udall
COME – UPPANCE FOR
COLOROLL
All who love true justice will receive with some
satisfaction the news that Coloroll has gone into
receivership. Although this. is no consolation for the loss
of an important part of our
glaesmaking
heritage it should leave no one in any doubt .
about the destruction that a few unscrupulous
individuals can wreck, however well-motivated
the parent firm may be. It underlines the need
for continual pressure on governments of any
shade to close all the loopholes in our export
legislation that put our heritage at risk.
From the Thomas Webb employees who have
endured their-plight in diplomatic silence came
signs of cautious relic f mingled with pent-up
indignation, when I talked to some of them at
the Crystal Festival. No longer do they have
to explain why one of Englands once premier
glassmakers is nowhere near Edinburgh but
carries. the name as a result of a
.
long historical
association. – It was a brave act of defiance that
hastily prepared brochures for the Festival
defined therneelves as Edinburgh’
incorporating Thomas Webb andeimitted any
reference toColoroll. The ,deSecretion of of
the old museum and the internal gutting of
Dennis Hall – the famotis chandelier has
vanished brought sharp condemn .tion.
The reconstructed museum, an extension of
present shop, is still worth a visit, however; as. •
some very fine, if historieelly.less significant,- .
glass still remains. When I was there it wet.
closed as the result of a recent burglary
”, which
had deprived them of three commemorative
pieces, but the shop manageress obligingly
took a few minutes off from the hurly-burly of
the sale to show me around.
The shop itself was a historian’s nightmare
because, in addition to a modest amount of
separately marked Thomas Webb and
Edinburgh Crystal glassware, there were
bargains galore of glass cut in the English
tradition but originating from Germany, Italy,
Austria
;
Czechoslovakia and Poland, all
bearing the Webb Continental label – a
remarkable expose ofColoroll’s intrenational
ambitions.
• ,
• .
The futtire of the firm remains uncertain and
although given-only eight Weeks before closure
it is still ticking over with one chair in action.
A spark of hope that
:
salvation might come from
a takeover by Royal Dalton failed to
materialize and we can only wait for the next
turn of events.
One consolation is that Broadfield House is
keeping a close watch on the situation
illustrating how the role of a museum and its
keepers as watchdog, looking after the public
interest, can go way beyond the domestic
chores of collecting and displaying glassware.
ROYAL DOULTON EXPANSION
One example of Charles Ha djamach’s duties as
Senior Keeper is to .keep an eye on
–
;-any new
developments in train on the:Webb Corbett site.
It was the proposed expansion of Royal
Doulton intO the Far East, in particular, that
temporarily raised hope of a Coloroll takeover.
However, expansion can he contained within
their present site even with due regard being
given to the remaining buildings of historical
—
eignifieance. They are required to inform the
Borough aieheologist of any developments so
that an eye can be kept out for funds of
historical interest. Both this and the ongoing
excavations at Dudley Castle come under
Charles control.
D.C.W.
•
3
GLASSWARE FOR .7:
–
… CHRISTMAS
75
YEARS OF PYREX
AlthOugh the use of borax goes baCk to the
time
.
of Ravenscroft the very high cost of, this ,
chemical, carried initially on sheep or goats
from Tibet to Calcutta and thence to Europe
boat, precluded its widespread commercial’
application until the late 19th century: Then,
Otto Schott’
, of ‘ the Jena glassworks in
Germany, discovered its ability to impart to
glass the property of resistance to steam and
chemical attack, coupled with a low thermal
expansion. This made borosilicate, as it . is
now known, ideal for .- boiler gauges,
thermometers and scientific glassware. In the
early 20th century hospitals’ and research
institutions in Britain were supplied almost
entirely.by Schott itosware. The outbreak of
the first world war Vut off supplies overnight
and strenuous efforts were made to develop an
alternative. Monax, made by the Scottish
firm of Mona t’ was early in the field but, like
most of the British scientific glassware at that
time, it consisted mainly of very thinly blown
Soda or ‘potash glass containing no borax.
In 1.915, the. Corning Glass Works in the USA
successfully created Pyrex, containing about
80% silica, 12% boric oxide and only a small
amount of soda.
Offers ‘to licence its
production in Europe attracted Ernest Jobling
Purser, technical manager of the Wear Flint •
Glass Works in Sunderland,
–
and in 1923 the
first thick heat-proof glass casseroles and
basins for the British domestic market came
into production. Today, Pyrex is taken for
panted but at the time it was a revelation
greeted by some with caution and disbelief.
Seventyfive years on from its first discovery,
Corning may justifiably claim re-eminence in
this field but, come 1992, Schott, the
European giant, will compete more .
prominently with their . own borosilicate, • .
called ‘Duran”.
European Pyrex is made at Sunderland and in
France.
The firms close association is
reflected in the fact that that new products”
–
may. say “Made in England” on the box but
Trance” on the glassware inside! New lines
that can make attractive Christmas presents
are their opaque
–
black or white ‘Domino”
oven-to-table series and “Iris”, enamelled in
attractive mauves and greens, which has been
an all-time best-seller in the States…, For the
Christmas turkey they have produced a_
kingsize. roaster measuring 40 x
:
.25 cm –
–
the
largest roaster they have _ever made. Coming
back ate .”
–
an
—
attractive range. of Pyrex
Streamline jugs with plastic handles.
The
earlier series,• dating from the 1960s, was
discontinued in 1981 due to an increase in the
cost of plastic. Jobling also markets its own
cut wine glasses; these are made in. Italy and
provide cheap competition with our own
superior cut glass trade.
Much of the Pyrex and other glassware seen
in our shops is distributed through the little-
known firm of Baineft Glassware Distributers,
centred in Leeds.
In addition to the
distribution of ever-popular lines such as the
recycled Spanish green glass they.’ also
produce .’own-lines” under the name’ Selecta
for gift-boxed
,
pressed glassware and Chefs
Selection for storage’ itertis,.• as well As
exclusively’ marketing attractive cheap
tableware under the name of Caraihes. For
any glass
.
enthusiasts looking for a research.
project. and
:
living in the .area there is much, to
be discovered about: the origins and designs,of
such glassware that’ could earn • the undying
gratitude of historians and glass collectors
generation or so from now
An interesting new , factory with historical
foundations is Fiesta Glass who took over the
Chance Brothers Glassworks in Smethwick,
West Midlands, which closed in 1981. Fiesta
manufactures the . fancy gilt-rimmed and
enamelled presentation plates, trays,
glasscards, wall clocks and , bells for
christenings, birthdays; weddings
.
and so on,
seen in our gift shops. ..Rather overwhelming,
some would say vulgar, displayed .en masse,
they nevertheless make popular gifts and, if
you . didn’t know. before, ,their largely
unexplored but wholly English pedigree offers
an interesting challenge for the glass. historian
and, when more is ,known, about . them,
possibly. for the collector as well.
D.C.W.
GLASS,FINDS AT • DUDLEY
CASTLE
;Dudleyeastle; soday a romantic old ruin, was built
around,1071, initially as a mett.and..bailey in wood by
foLlowersof William of Normandy.and later in stone.
‘In
1
647, its
as abate:Ss carne,to an end after. the
English Civil Wai. It was finally deStroyed. by fire in
4750 When the’billn
.
‘o which it stands was said, with
some poetic lidence, to fun•tedWith molten lead:
The ruin:sand keep gradually became dangerous and
led to .a combined programme of longterm arched-
logical excavation and structural restoration.: The
glass finds were the subject c7
n
i’ a lecture by Steve .. •
.I.Arinane, the Chief Archaeologist at Dudley Castle, as
pait of theCrystai Festival. The
sites
investigated
so
fat have yielded a considerable quantity of glass over
a range of periods going back well beyond John •
Dudley, Duke of Northumberland and instigator of
the unsuccessful attempt’ to put Lady Jane Grey on the
throne. • .
An impressive archeological, eature was the .massive
amount of soil that has beeen shifted in the .
,excavation. At one time more than 65 people were
employed
each
day! Window glass, of varioni types,
derived from the domtic range of buildings which
had large windoWs, has been found in quantity ‘and
may have been supplied from Stourbridge. In a
•
cupboard located above a bakery oven and protected
in,the ruin by wind-blown soil, an inter-esting
Collection of early bottlt,.c. 1670
s
1700,.was found
alongside other domestic utensils – keys, dishes and
‘pipe bowls. Of particular interest were two sealed
bottles, one With°the initials Ea:s
e
a lsird and the date,
1690′;’
,
and the other with a W (for Waidell-Castle)’•
above
ia coronet; •
•
• •-•
An importanuaspect of the excavation is the reliabil-
ity of the terminal dating.. • The gatehouse and:keep
were demolished in 1674 during a seige’in the Civil
War and below. the. undisturbed rubble-were found a ..
forest glass bewl,, alchemical glass, wine glass
fragments and the neck of a jug. Soule of these
may
.
have been domestic products while other pieces
were more
probably imported.
High quality finds emerged from the pit of a
guarderobe on the firit floor of the Keep.mliere
Royalists were garrisoned during the Civil War.
Among pieces of leather, cloth and seeds were found
the thinly blown weythen neck of a
flask
and a urinal
in, amber glas, part
of
a Venetian tazza
and a
German stoneware drinking jug
of
1575.
–
Evert more
surprising finds emerge) from below a plaster floor •
laid ‘down
.
about 1540 by The Duke of Northtilnber •
land. • These included aglass stem, mould-blown
with lion’s head, andaice fragments of lattiCinio
vessels, either Venetian orfacon,de Venise
–
high •
status glassware reflecting the Duke’s importance.
•
From the medieval period Only window glass, with
one fragthent still attadied•to’its original lead came,
has been found so far. Most exciting by far are large
coloured fragments readily
identifyable as part
of the
arms of the Somerly family who refortified the
derelict site in 1264. The lasemale heir, Sir John
de Somerly died in 1332. A complete, and identical
window, “set within a pointed ruby quatrefoil on a
.
green
ground… the. shield of arms, Or two lions
passant azure” from the Burrell
Collection was
dis-
played in the “Age’of Chivalry” exhibition (Cat. No.
229) and described as an outstanding example Of
English medieval heraldic art. A copy of the
window, constructed by Steve, was on:display along•
with other treasures from the digs.
.
The latest excavations penetrate the iron age and, so
far, one small fragment of Roman glass has emerged.
Ftirther excavations can occupy the forsecable future
but no decision seems to have been taken as to when
the finds will be exhibited. However, Steve would be
delighted to show any members of the Circle around
provided advancedwarning is arranged by writing to
Stevels’innane at Dudley Castle, 2 the Broadway,-
Dudley, West Midlands. DY I 4Q13. enclosing an
S.A.E. orly phoning 0384 235 305..
.QAC GLASS
.
— REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. BY THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED
With ChriStmas
just around the corner the age-old problem may be solved and leavened by turning to a •
–
deserVing charity. QAC Glass started as a partnership between David Whiteman, an established member of
-die Guild Of Glass Engravets,.•arid Queen AleXandta College,
4
residential,college-of
,
Further Education based
in
Birmingham, acknowledged as European
specialists in vocational
training for those.•with visual impairment.
.Although it seems.an improbable exercise,•the essentially tactile nature of engraved gl
as
s offers.immense
possibilities for
those with impaired vision. Thepreblem, of file cost of materials
during
the early training
period was overcome by the use of cut-down drink- and spa-wafer bettleS Which can be converted into
fans•active vases and tumblers
.
that belie their origin. QAC Glass
–
now has its Own shop well-stocked with
blanks –
.
.frornpaperWeights to
chessboards, or will
even supply a purpose-designed door
panel, window or
.
‘table-telt – which they
will dect
–
cite t•Ya
high professional standard.
Prices, of course, vary with the
coadpexity of the work and whether single designs or multiple copies of dub. logos etc. are required .
Particularly unusual and attia.liveiS’their Own
–
unique unique proce
s
s whereby. portrait photographs can be
reproduced onto glass, emulating the style and skill of stipple engraving by the ohl Dutch masters.
Get further information from QAC Glass, Queen Alexandra College, Court Oak Road,Hasborne, Birmingham,
1317 9TG. (Tel. 021-428 2282).
Prepare sketches, photos, photocopies etc. of yoUr ideas for reprodtietion
am=c
‘mak
r
t
+am.. •
ST. MATT HEWS – A UNIQUE
LALIQUE CHURCH IN JERSEY
In 1840, the Rectors of St Helier, SILawrence
and St Peter drew up plans for a churehin
What
was originally sand dunes but is;now called
.
.,. ‘ •
Mittbrook Park. Their purpose was to save the
local parishoners a tiresome journey to worship at
St Lawrence: The rather plain exterior has
•
changed. little from when it was built but the tall
square-topped windows, unusual in a church and
now protected outside by
s
r
single panes, conceal a
unique ‘enterpriie in art’
glass manufacture.’ For,
•
in 1934, the late Florence •• • 1
Lady Trent, who lived in Z.s!
Millbrook, invitedRene
Lalique. of Paris to
collaborate with her and
her architect, ICIr A.B..
Grayson,
to
‘reconstruct
the church interior as a
memorial to her husband,
the first LOrd Trent.’ A
plaque- inside the church
commemorates their
labours in producing a ,
house of worship of
unusual beauty and
interest reflecting the
exceptional skill of Rene
Lalique in casting art
glass of great size using
the lost wax
–
proCeSs.
The tall windows,: glass-
panelled door
;
,and the
extensive gtass.
:
f .ttm
gs
u’ere all
desigrie’d.and
constructed by him. This
is the only church which
he decorated thrOughotit and, in so doing,
*.q created a• remarkable sense of lightnesi’axid
unity, fdtall the glasi is in clear cryStal’Set
against cream coloured Walls of Bath stone
.
,
, a
floor of Portland stone and wotxlwork of
English oak. •
•
•
•
As one approaches the church, entering the
vestibule., the contrast of grey marble tiling
and the long cast panels of angels in the •
exteriOt &ars
–
forfeit of something special.
The bcidY’of the church, crudely
.
described, is
an open boX emphasized by the square Cut •••
pews and relived only by the slighly dothed
ceiling into which nestle massive lighilroughs
of Lalique glass.
But. the attention is • •
immediately overwhelmed by the glass-
panelled altar
tw
o
by a massive glass
cross
and two supporter’s, displayed in sharp
relief against a blue drape. On either side
are a glass-walled’ Lady chapel and a private
sanctury. The Wall panels embody.the Jersey lily
and the Madonna lily in their design. The altar
of the Lady chapel is •surmounted by four large
angels similar to those in the front doors and, like
the altar cross, these contain their own internal,
lighting.
Glass candlesticks for the altar are
en suite.
Finally, but not least, is the
magnificent font which is a truly lovely piece of
Lalique glass and, as far as is knOtivn,,the only
glass font in any chiireh’iri the Britiih Isles.’
An 8-page coloured pamphletis
the vicar; also sets of five coloured
post-cards, parts ‘of which’Iliave.
attempted to reproduce ‘here.„ J.(
You are looking fora Christints
card With a difference the
‘Se are
.0
0$
,
•44
1
Well worth consideration. Sorry I
do not have any prices. D.C.W.
•
•-i.r4:ir,
•
10.443.
,
1:40:1
0
a
n
4, v,
a:pro
o• ,
x
11
6
MILEMAXLVI
IMECIAIIQN
Except to assiduous readers of the obituary
columns of The Times the sudden death, last
January, of Andrew Constable Maxwell at the
age of 83, may have passed un-noticed.
Indeed, he was not widely known outside his
military connections in this country, partly
because he and his American born wife,
Nikki, had spent the latter years of his
retirement in Switzerland. All this was to
change in 1979 when Sotheby’s announced the
sale of his unbelievably fine collection of
Roman glass which was to establish him as a
collector of the first rank in this field and his
catalogue as an important work of reference.
The star item was his 3rd century AD
diatretum or cage cup, now on loan to the
Corning Museum, which shared the limelight
with other exceptional items in the “Glass of
the Caesars” Exhibition in 1987.
For those
present at the sale it was a rare experience
when lot 41, opening at £50 000, reached the
hammer price of £520 000 in no more than a
Minute. Even plus the 10% surcharge it
must have been a bargain, while outstripping
the previous world record for a piece of glass,
the Verzelini goblet sold at Christies the year
before, by a.mere £450 000! Among other
fme and rare items were an Argonaut vessel
and a mould-blown vessel with the name of its
maker, Aristeas while a skyphos cameo-glass
vessel might indeed have been presented as a
visitor’s going, away present in Rome AD 66 to
the young Parthian Tiridates, King of Armenia,
by Nero himself.
As so often seems to happen at such sales, the
adrenalin released during the tense emotional
moments when the fine items were sold was
transmitted to those of lesser substance and
even simple millefiori fragments were beyond
the pockets of ordinary mortals. Even given
the capital the collection, including notable
eastern examples of glass ranging from 18th
dynasty Egyptian down to 13th century Islamic
Was a fine achievement, the more
;
so as it was
amassed in less than two decades.
Our
member, Dr Donald Harden, formerly British
Museum expert on Roman glass and a
contributor to the “Glass of the Caesars”
catalogue, remarked that in his long experience
it was impossible to recall a collection of such
scope, quality and quantity.
The sale of any
collection conjures up visions of investment for
profit but those who knew Andrew confirm that
he bought for the love of building a fine
collection and its eventual dispersal could not
have been without some regrets.
Andrew was of Highland descent, one or
–
six
brothers.
He was a first cousin of the
Commando leader, Lord Lovat and of Sir
David Sterling, founder of the Special Air
Service which he joined in 1943. For his
action in the Western Desert campaigne near
Tobruk he was award the MC. Over-run by
Rommel’s tanks he was captured, together with
some 30 other survivors. Later that evening
he managed to escape with a comrade and
separately they picked their way back to their
own lines through the allied minefields. Nine
hours later he was cordially greeted by his
camp orderly officer with the words “Oh, hello
Maxwell, what took you so long?” – an oblique
tribute to his self-reliance.
Perhaps it was this same charismatic enterprise
that brought such success to his collecting; but
it was a joint collection and although Nikki
seems to have been content to play the
supportive role there can be litle doubt that,
coming from a family that produced Nicholas
Brady, Secretary of the US Treasury, she must
have made a shrewd contribution to the
partnership.
The Glass Circle is proud to have had Colonel
Andrew Constable Maxwell number among its
members and we are no less delighted that
Nikki has taken over his membership.
Perhaps, before too long, we shall be able to
give a personal welcome to her at one of our
meetings.
OUR BEST WISHES
TO jOHN TOWSE
Circle members may have noticed the absence
from
,
this issue of any contribution from my
co-editor, John Towse. This is because he has
been incapacitated by a couple of minor
operations. We all wish him a speedy recovery
and a rapid return to full health.
7
STOURBRIDGE GLASS COURSE
MOVES TO WOLVERHAMPTON
Eras of one aort or another are always drawing to a
close. This change, although very necessary, brings
a long tradition to a nostalgic, end, particularly
as
the.
move is. away from the immediate Stoll/bridge area.
Sack in 0/7 w.e rePoi
i
ted that the
old’witisie’i
.
School of Art and Technical Institute,, where Carder
was an instructor in Glass; waseMpty and Under
threat
of
deinolition for road widening. The’need
for a wider road still remains, reprieVing, thereby,
the decaying Victorian building with its the terra
cotta panels designed by Carder. Its course was
transferred to the Stourbridge College of
Technology and Arts and eventually became the
Council for National Aeademic Awards validated
three year BA (Hons) Course in Glass. But with
changing circumstances and a need for rational-
‘ ization of expensive resources the course, and its
staff, have moved to the more favourable environ-
ment of the
new
School of Art and Design ‘that is •
part of Wolverhampton Polytechnic. Its purpose-
built studios, said to be “undoubtedly the best in the
U.K.”, provide awide range of glass’machinery,
furnaces, kilns and cutting and grindingequipment –
as well as facilities for mould making in a range of
materials. There is an excellent drawing studio
withindividthalstudent areas, and an architectural
glass room as well as some of the most up-to-date
computer-aided design equipment in the world.
The course covers the practice of glass forming in
relation to historical and contemporary precedents in
the overall context of design, craft or architecture.
Emphasis is also placed on drawing (of which few
students seem to do enough nowadays), model
making and other creative studies. The course is
essentially practical and covers the four main
methods
of
glass working; manual hot working,.
machine forming including press and centriftige (a
method
of
forcing hot glass into a mould in a •
–
machine like a huge spin dryer), kiln work,
including casting slumping and decorating, and
cold work including cutting, polishing and grinding.
Students specialise in one of these four areas in their
final year.
Entry into the course requires passing a ‘one-year
Foundation study in ArtatidDesigne this intro- –
duces the beginner to SophiStinated technologies as
well as to the obvious fundamentals. The College
welcomes’ applicants of all ages and backgrounds.
Some parts of the course are part time and would
surely prove a great attraction to Glass Circle
members if there was an easy means of regular
transport. It is to be hoped that the lucky tines in.
the region are able to take full advantage. If you
would like more information ring 0902-321055.
A quite separate enterprise is thet36 week modular
course in glais making anddecorating at the
International Glass Centre, °Dudley College or
Technology. The College is located in the old
library building (also with terra cotta panels, possibly
of Calder design) in Brierley Hill, where our member,
Herbert Woodward was curator of the local glass
collection before it was amalgamated at Broadfleld
house with the collection from the Counaoffices at
.
Mary Stevens Park. „Members of the Circle who
went on the outing will have seen and doubtless, ,
admired the exhibition of student’s work, “First
Gather Ill”, at Broadfield house, which displays a
combination .of creative diversity, artistic sensitivity ”
and technical
to a very high degree.
The course has acquired a fully-juatified inter (rational
:
reputation and attracts about 24″ students a year from
all over the world. Some of the come from the
BA Honours course, mentioned above, to expand and
develop their practical skills before moving on to Set
up their own workshops. The course is essentially
“hands on” and, according to Course Tutor, Chris
Greenaway, great fun but hard work! Chris runs the
cold work- aspects, including stained glass, while
Malcolm Andrews supervises the hot working of
glass and David French the teChnological aspects; •
raw materials, glass composition, furnace design and
so
on.
Dudley C011ege was started abont 20 yearS
order toprovide training for-the local glass industry.
Like many such good ideas it:did not receive the
commercial support it might have been entitled to
expext,,partieularly on the technology side, although
becoming an important wining centre for glass-dec-
orating, cutting and engraving. • It was to rescue the
College from gradually sinking into neglect that the
present course was started and from which it has gone
from strength to strength.
Although the course-
both sounds, and is, highly professional the enthus-
iastic amateur of any age is not debarred provided
that Mr Greenaway is convinced of the applicants
ability and, I suspect, endurance to complete the
‘course. The certificate awarded to successful
candidates is one to cherished with pride. The
College address is Moor Street, Brierley Hill West
Midlands, DY5 3EP (Tel. 0384 45.5433 x 267).
–It would be useful to know what courses are run in
other parts Of
‘
the country with a glass content that
might interest members either as a leisure
.
persuit or
as p art of ,a Career structure. So dig around your
locarPolis and let me know wheat you find. D.C.W.
11.
DEATH OF IA Col R.S. WILLIAMS-THOMAS
It is with great sorrow and regret that we learn of
the sudden death of Lt Col R.S. Williams-Thomas,
President of Royal Brierley Crystal and a much-
loved and appreciated member of the Glass Circle.
An obituary will follow in the next issue Of Glass
Circle News,
tYr
– •. ona.
– At
,
t’fl
.
–
ter ei,e
7
y..te,,tea
-e’
-4414447-
ft—d!
7-Vjej.
‘. • .1
. •
•
1
3111r -“-*
‘
;..iii:v441417.sas.
.11
,
,
.•
.•
_
Ls
,
-,
;77
.
1)‘
-14
teteetereata ta. • ;i
•
eat iateret
aatt; –
–
•
-..
’77
–
i
4
c1:1%
Of
This paper
.
in Glass Technology, V01.31 (1990)
pp 208-212, extends the earlier review in this
Journal, by Brian Moody, of Raveriscroft’s
discovery which left unanswered the question of
how he came to employ lead oxide in his
invention of crystal glass (see GCN No. 46).
It is suggested that the first stepin this develop-
ment arose in the early 17thcentury with the
incorporation of saltpetre into the batch to counter
the deleterious effects
o
smoke from the new coal-
fired glass furnace in Winchester Palace. •
Contrary to general belief the coal furnace was not
very efficient and, in the next century, John Bowles
was fined More than once for the nuisance caused
by smoke from the Winchester furnace. The
possibility that the covered ‘pot was introduced at
this time is discussed, and two Figures pinpoint the
most probable location of the furnace althought this
aspect is not considered in detail.
Raveriscroft’s assistant, cla Costa, was
‘
familiar with
the manufacture of lead glass for jems and it is
suggested that he made the fairly obvious dis-
covery, once saltpetre had come into use, that it
protected the Pot from deleterious attack by .
preventing the formation of metallic lead in the
mele
e
• However, Ravenscroft’s original form-
ulation, based according to Plot, on a recipe by
Ludavell, used a mixture of nitre (saltpetre), tartar
and borax in equal proportions, but no lead.
Problematically for Ravens-
croft the use Of borax, although
apprOpriate
to, the
laboratory of
a gentleman chemist, such as
Ludwell, was vastly too
expensive to be used on a commercial scale for
glassmaking. Indeed, it was considered by -Doasie,
as late as 1758, only suitable formanufacture where
considerable value could be set on the product or the
quantity wanted was very small. Ravenscroft; it
will be remembered, promised to keep hiS prices
, to
those prevailing at the time but would have required
some 200 pounds of borax for one full charge of his
furnace:
There is no question, then,
that
Ravense
croft; a man with considerable commercial exper-
ience, could have envisaged thense of borax -other
than in small experimental’ bitches. An alternative
was reqired and, with Neri’s’ivritten eulogy on the
magnificence of lead glass to hand and da Costa’s
experience of jewel manufacture, the use Of lead
oxide in a mixture containing saltpetre becomes an
obvious choice. Indeed, the commercial aspect
now provides the most compelling evidence that the
use of lead was conternplatedat the outset and the
experimental period, would have been necessary to
develop a metal originally ‘intended
for
gems into
one suitable for the manufacture of .blown tablewaee.
The paper also discusses the use of tar
‘ tar, which is
converted to potash by roasting – a,well-established
glass making practice that probably explains, the .
switch to the use of potash by the early .18th century.
Why George Ravenscroft Introduced Lead
Oxide into Crystal Glass by D.C. Watts
1,-
;
..„
–
•
!”1.-1!4;
‘ “Ta
n
–
s”.
ift
:). • , .4,
•
,••
•
e•ee aeett
An old print of Dennis H
home of ThoinasWebb
•
– tt
•
e