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Whitefriars Glass

The Whitefriars glass factory was founded in 1680 in a former Carmelite monastery. A century and a half later, the factory was purchased by James Powell and for over one hundred and fifty years the works manufactured some of the most creatively produced glass in Britain. In the 1840's the factory turned away from traditional cut glass and turned instead to Venetian glass for inspiration. The derivative production of past styles continued until the 1880's when under Harry Powell (The grandson of James), a more original approach developed.

Experimentation blossomed under Harry Powell, who designed the majority of the firm's output between 1880 and 1819 and the range of glass Whitefriars could produce was substantially extended. After producing X-ray bulbs during the First World War, the factory returned to the manufacture of coloured and crystal domestic glass. Despite a long tradition of fine art glass, Whitefriars is currently best known for the industrial art glass pioneered by Geoffrey Baxter and produced from 1920 onwards. Eventually sales were not sufficient to cover costs and the factory was declared bankrupt in 1980.

		Vase Designed by Harry J. Powell Early 20th century Height 24.6 cm A clear glass, with a trumpet shaped body and a plain foot. Six vertical tears of amethyst glass on the middle and lower body.

	Decanter and Stopper Possibly designed by Harry J. Powell Early 20th century Height 29.5 cm including stopper Clear glass circular body with long narrow neck. The body is decorated with six strawberry prunts, the four of which have gold inclusions.

		Decanter and Stopper Designed by Harry J. Powell Early 20th century Height 35.0 cm Clear flint glass with globular base and a tall narrow neck. Silver collar and double looped handles terminating in leaves set with two blister pearls, one in between each set of handles. The stopper and the ring immediately above the collar are of pale green glass.

	Decanter and Stopper Possibly designed by Harry J. Powell Early 20th century Height 32.8 cm including stopper A clear glass in a flattened oval form with a spiral trail around the neck.


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