Glassmakers Shift Pattern, Pay and tools – Part II Glass making in Stourbridge in the century from the 1850’s was a flourishing and extremely successful industry, with many family-run businesses. Names that we remember that have now long gone from our streets, Stuart Crystal, Royal Brierley Crystal, (Stevens & Williams), Webbs, Corbett’s, Richardsons, to nameContinue reading “Glassmaker’s Tools”
Category Archives: History
Glassmakers, their strange shift pattern, and pay
The strange shift system worked by glassmakers was known as a Journey and divided into Turns and Moves. The pay system was complicated, and production was capped by Flint Glassmakers Union, to ensure that workers earned a minimum wage for their skills. The innovative use of hand-made tools, and a proficiency in mental arithmetic, ensuredContinue reading “Glassmakers, their strange shift pattern, and pay”
George and Thomas Woodall Masters of Cameo
This tells the story of ordinary local brothers under the guidance of John Northwood and his burgeoning expertise in reproducing the cameo carving of The Portland Vase in 1876; they became Masters of their craft producing the finest cameo of all time. From their early training at Stourbridge School of Art to the establishment ofContinue reading “George and Thomas Woodall Masters of Cameo”
The Magic of Glass
In ancient times glass-making was viewed as mysterious and magical, it was alchemy, and referred to as ‘The Art Feat and Mystery of Glass’. Sand subjected to high temperatures became jewel-like material that could be moulded into vessels, magic indeed! It has clever physical properties, it can easily be recycled and it does not deteriorateContinue reading “The Magic of Glass”
Stourbridge Glassmakers – On the Move
The White House Cone glass museum represents over 400 years of the history, artistry and heritage of the Stourbridge Glassmaking Industry; the collections and archives are now on the move to this new vanguard museum built on the site of the Stuart Crystal Whitehouse Glass Cone. Likewise, the glassmakers throughout the centuries have moved on,Continue reading “Stourbridge Glassmakers – On the Move”
Cameo Glass
What is it? How is it made? And how did cameo glass bring fame and fortune to the streets of The Crystal Mile? This talk will take you to the Cameo gallery in The White House Cone Glass Museum and, starting with the 17thC rediscovery of a lost Roman art form, will show you theContinue reading “Cameo Glass”
Women in the glass industry
Stourbridge Glass Museum is custodian of many thousands of pieces of glassware reflecting the skills and artistry of glassblowers, designers, and decorators from the Stourbridge area for over 400years. It reflects the industrial efforts from such world-renowned makers as Richardson’s, Stuart Crystal, Royal Brierley Crystal and Webb Corbett’s. Yet how many pieces in the collectionContinue reading “Women in the glass industry”
Stourbridge Glass – A History
From forest glass making to industrial furnaces This talk is a good introduction to the subject of Stourbridge Glass, and traces the roots of Stourbridge glassmakers back to the 8thC BC, from The Alabastron of Sargon II to their arrival in Stourbridge. We explore the hot side of the industry, the workings of our uniqueContinue reading “Stourbridge Glass – A History”
Glass Decorating, Stuart Crystal at The Red House Glass Cone
Glass Decorating, Stuart Crystal at The Red House Glass Cone. The hot side of the industry in the Red House Glass Cone was where the glass was blown and shaped. The annealed pieces left the shrower washed and inspected for quality as a blank, ready for the cold side of the industry, where some ofContinue reading “Glass Decorating, Stuart Crystal at The Red House Glass Cone”
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