The Project Gutenberg eBook ofOld Irish GlassThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Old Irish GlassAuthor: Mrs. Graydon StannusRelease date: May 3, 2014 [eBook #45570]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Jordan and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD IRISH GLASS ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Old Irish GlassAuthor: Mrs. Graydon StannusRelease date: May 3, 2014 [eBook #45570]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Jordan and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)
Title: Old Irish Glass
Author: Mrs. Graydon Stannus
Author: Mrs. Graydon Stannus
Release date: May 3, 2014 [eBook #45570]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Chris Jordan and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD IRISH GLASS ***
THE CONNOISSEUR SERIESOF BOOKS FOR COLLECTORSOLD IRISH GLASS
Plate I.CARD OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE CORKGLASS-CUTTERS' UNION.In the possession of the Author.
Plate I.
CARD OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE CORKGLASS-CUTTERS' UNION.
In the possession of the Author.
THE CONNOISSEUR SERIES OF BOOKS FOR COLLECTORSEDITED BY C. REGINALD GRUNDYOLDIRISH GLASSBYMrs. GRAYDON STANNUSNew Edition :: Revised and EnlargedLogo of the ConnoisseurPUBLISHED BYTHE CONNOISSEUR, 1, DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES'S, LONDON, S.W.1MCMXXI
THE CONNOISSEUR SERIES OF BOOKS FOR COLLECTORS
EDITED BY C. REGINALD GRUNDY
OLDIRISH GLASS
BY
Mrs. GRAYDON STANNUS
Logo of the Connoisseur
PUBLISHED BY
THE CONNOISSEUR, 1, DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES'S, LONDON, S.W.1
MCMXXI
Publishers Logo
Fancy header for Contents PageCONTENTSPAGETHE FASCINATION OF IRISH GLASS1GLASS FACTORIES IN IRELAND3Irish Gilding4The Last Maker4Glass-makers' Wages4Glass Cutters5WALL AND TABLE LIGHTS7CHANDELIER DROPS, PENDANTS, AND ORNAMENTS7THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IRISH GLASS10Weight10Colour10Resilience11The Feel of Irish Glass12The Ring of Irish Glass12Difference in the Ring of other Glass12FAKES12Difference of Colour13THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF IRISH GLASS13EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL14IRISH GLASS SOLD ABROAD14UNCUT PIECES14THE ILLUSTRATIONS14LIST OF PLATESPLATECard of Membership of the Cork Glass-cutters' UnionI.Interior of a Primitive Hand Glass-cutter's ShedII.Device for Stoppering Bottles and Opening PansIII.Four pairs of Dublin and Waterford Wall-lightsIV.,V.,VI.,VII.Waterford Bowls. (Mr. Walter Harding)VIII.Waterford Bowl,circa1783. Pontil worked into an ornament. (Commander Swithinbank)IX.Waterford Flower Bowl,circa1783. (Commander Swithinbank)IX.Waterford Canoe-shaped Bowl, 1783. (Viscount Furness)IX.Cork "Turnover" Bowl, 12 in. high. (Mrs. Rea)IX.Christening Bowl, 1760. (Author)X.Munster Bowl,circa1780. (Mrs. Hall)X.Irish "Pinched"-sided Bowl. (Mr. Henderson)X.Waterford Orange Bowl,circa1790, 16 in. by 7½ in. (Major Pope)X.Irish Moulded Bowl, very large, 1760. (Mrs. Rea)XI.Irish "Pinched" Bowl, early, retaining waste metal at foot. (Author)XI.Irish "Pinched" Bowl, traveller's sample, 3 in. (Author)XI.Waterford Revolving Centre Dish,circa1783. (Hon. Mrs. York)XI.Cork Glass Orange Bowl,circa1790. (Mr. Walter Harding)XII.Waterford Bowl,circa1790. (Viscount Furness)XII.Cork "Pillar" Bowl, early. (Viscount Furness)XIII.Irish Large Bowl of exceptional shape,circa1785. (Author's family)XIII.Irish Glass, curious specimen of early, on carved bog-oak stand. (Commander Swithinbank)XIV.Irish Posset Bowl, large two-handled, possibly 1750. (Mrs. Hall)XV.Irish Ogee Bowl,circa1760. (Mr. R. Frank)XV.Waterford Bowl, bearing the Stannus crest, 1790. (Author)XVI.Waterford Bowl and Basin,circa1783. (Mr. Wild)XVI.Dublin copy of Bristol Two-handled Cup and Cover,circa1780. (Mrs. Day)XVI.Waterford Giant "Turnover" Round Bowl and Dish,circa1815. (Mrs. Rea)XVI.Waterford deep "Step"-cut Dish,circa1825. (Mrs. Oliver)XVI.Waterford "Step"-cut Dishes with fan handles,circa1820. (Mrs. Hall)XVII.Munster Banqueting Tazze, 1790-1810. (Mrs. Hall)XVII.Irish Posset Bowl, early, probably 1730. (Mrs. Rea)XVIII.Irish Urn, large,circa1795. (Mr. R. Philipson)XVIII.Waterford "Canoe"-shaped Bowl, 1790. (Author's family)XVIII.Waterford Salad Bowl,circa1785. (Col. Fitzgerald Stannus)XIX.Dublin Urns, very early. (Mr. Hugh Weguelin)XIX.Dublin Finger-bowl, early (marked). (Mr. R. Frank)XIX.Cork Bowl,circa1785. (Mr. Henderson)XX.Irish Glass, three rare specimens of early, probably Dublin. (Mr. R. Philipson)XX.Irish Plain Punch-bowl and Ladle,circa1770. (Mr. R. Frank)XXI.Waterford "Step"-cutting, examples of, after 1815. (Author)XXI.Waterford Bowl, one of the rarest extant,circa1785. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXII.Waterford "Helmet" Bowl. (Major Courtauld)XXII.Waterford Dishes, pair of finely cut. (Major Courtauld)XXII.Waterford Chandelier, 1785. (Author's family)XXIII.Waterford Chandelier, 1788. (Author's family)XXIV.Waterford Chandelier. (Author)XXV.Waterford Sideboard Lights, Adam design, pair. (Author)XXVI.Waterford Chimney Set, with drops, probably Dublin,circa1815. (Author)XXVI.Waterford Table Lights, set of three. (Viscount Furness)XXVII.Waterford Table Lights, set of four,circa1785. (Viscount Furness)XXVII.Waterford Lights, on "Bosi"-work pedestals, pair. (Viscount Furness)XXVIII.Irish Table Lights,circa1780, pair. (Author)XXIX.Waterford Table Lights, late Adam, on Wedgwood urns, pair. (Mr. Hugh Weguelin)XXIX.Waterford Table Lights,circa1783. (Mr. E. Parsons)XXX.Waterford Table Lights, Adam period. (Major Pope)XXX.Waterford Candlesticks, 1785, pair. (Mr. H. Samuelson)XXX.Waterford Chandelier, 1783. (Mrs. Cox)XXXI.Waterford Candelabra and pair of Candlesticks. (Col. Jenner)XXXI.Waterford Chandelier, Adam. (Mrs. Sabin)XXXII.Irish Candle-shades, finest period, pair. (Author)XXXIII.Waterford Altar Candlesticks,circa1783, pair. (Mr. R. Frank)XXXIV.Irish Candlesticks, probably 1760, three unique. (Mrs. Rea)XXXIV.Irish Candlesticks, with unusual bases,circa1770, pair. (Mrs. Rea)XXXV.Waterford Tapersticks, circa 1790, pair. (Mrs. Rea)XXXV.Waterford (?) Lamps, 1790, very unusual pair. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXXVI.Waterford Candlestick, 1783. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXXVI.Cork Candlesticks, early, pair. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXXVI.Irish Rushlight Holders, blown-glass, early eighteenth century. (Mr. R. Frank)XXXVII.Waterford Table Lights, pair. (Mr. Fitzroy Chapman)XXXVII.Waterford Altar Candlesticks, pair, finest period. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXXVIII.Waterford Candlesticks. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXXIX.Dublin (?) Mug,circa1740. (Mr. Walter Harding)XXXIX.Waterford Jug, shaped. (Mr. Walter Harding)XL.Irish "Freak" Jug,circa1760. (Author)XL.Waterford Jugs, three. (Mr. R. Philipson)XL.Waterford or Cork Tankard,circa1785. (Author)XL.Dublin (?) Two-handled Spun Cup, 1750. (Author)XL.Irish Jug, heavy lustre cut, flint glass,circa1800. (Commander Swithinbank)XL.Cork Decanters, early blown, marked "Cork Glass Co.," pair. (Author)XLI.Munster Liqueur Bottles, pair. (Author)XLI.Irish Decanter, early blown. (Author)XLI.Waterford Liqueur Bottles, 1820-50.XLI.Waterford Decanters,circa1780-90. (Author)XLI.Munster Jugs, set of early. (Author)XLII.Munster Decanters, set of early. (Author)XLIII.Irish Chalice, 1790-1800. (Mrs. Hall)XLIV.Dublin "Lustre-cut" Goblets,circa1850, set of. (Mr. David Blair)XLIV.Irish Sweetmeat Stands, 1760-70. (Author)XLIV.Munster Chalice, 1790-1800. (Mrs. Magee)XLV.Waterford Basket Sweetmeat Stand. (Mrs. Magee)XLVI.Cork Sweetmeat Stand, with two candle sconces, early. (Mrs. Magee)XLVI.Waterford Dessert Service. (Hon. Mrs. Vickers)XLVII.Waterford Dessert Service,circa1785. (Major Pope)XLVIII.Waterford Miniature Sweetmeat Stand, late Adam. (Mr. Walter Harding)XLVIII.Dublin Posset Two-handled Bowl, 1760; Flat Flask, 1770; Goblets, Mugs, and Tea Caddy of early dates. (Author)XLVIII.Cork Table Service, early Adam period. (Mr. R. Frank)XLIX.Irish Lamp, probably 1660, and other early pieces. (Mr. Walter Harding)XLIX.Cork and Waterford Urns,circa1785. (Commander Swithinbank)L.Waterford Urns,circa1783. (Mrs. Hall)LI.Dublin Wig Stands, pair. (Mr. R. Frank)LII.Munster Glass Dishes, etc. (Mr. Hunt)LII.Waterford CruetsLII.Dublin Strawberry Cut Teapot. (Mrs. Day)LII.Munster Moulded Teapot. (Author)LII.Waterford Teapot,circa1783. (Mr. R. Frank)LII.Irish Cream or Ice Pails,circa1825-35. (Mrs. McBean)LII.Dublin Blue Glass Bowl,circa1740. (Author)LIII.Irish Blue Glass Bowl. (Author)LIII.Dublin Blue Glass Lace-makers' Lamps,circa1730-40. (Author)LIII.RUBBINGSPLATECutting on Waterford Canoe-shaped Bowl. (Author)LIV.Special Cutting on "Pinched" Boat-shaped Bowl. (Author)LIV.Fan Edge from a fine Waterford Bowl,circa1815LIV."Vandyke" Cutting or "Geometrical" DesignLIV.Swag and Line Cutting, with fan edge, probably 1765LIV.Hobnail Cutting, late 1830LV.Strawberry CuttingLV.Flat Diamond CuttingLV.Fine "Fan" Cutting from a Waterford DecanterLV."Double," "Long" Diamond, or "Lozenge" CuttingLV.Adaptations of Cutting, 1790-1835LVI."Leaf," "Shallow Diamond," and "Flute" Cutting from a Waterford BowlLVI."Castellated" Edge from a Waterford Fruit DishLVI."Diamond" Cutting, a rare adaptation of,circa1770LVII.Cuttings on Cork and Waterford GlassLVII.Cuttings on early Waterford GlassLVIII."Leaf" Cutting, variation ofLVIII.Flat "Leaf" CuttingLVIII."Lustre" Cutting, Dublin,circa1785LIX.Cutting on a Cork Bowl, late eighteenth centuryLIX.Star, Soft Early,circa1750LIX.Star, Shallow-cut, from a Waterford Dish,circa1790LIX."Husk" or "Leaf" Cutting from an Irish Wine-glass,circa1760; one of the earliest cuttingsLIX.Dublin Wall-light, one of a pair. (Author)LX.ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXTPAGEDrops, Pendants, and Ornaments6,8,15Blow-pipe and Ladles for making Stars and Ornamental Pendants9The Stannus Crest, engraved on a Waterford bowl (seePlate XVI.)16
Plate II.INTERIOR OF A PRIMITIVE HAND GLASS-CUTTER'S SHED.From a drawing in the Author's possession.
Plate II.
INTERIOR OF A PRIMITIVE HAND GLASS-CUTTER'S SHED.
From a drawing in the Author's possession.
Allold glass is interesting, but old Irish glass possesses certain unique qualities which make its collection peculiarly fascinating. In it we find an unsurpassed beauty and depth of colour—a poetry of design and a velvet softness of touch which are a pure joy to the connoisseur. Before describing Irish glass, however, let me first give some idea as to where and when it was produced.
Glass appears to have been made in Ireland to a very small extent during the Middle Ages, and it would seem from the evidence of contemporary records that as early as 1332 the coloured windows of Dublin Castle were made by local workers in Dublin. Some authorities, however, hold that these records refer not to glass-makers, but merely to glaziers, who used foreign glass for their work. What is certain is that the manufacture of glass was not seriously commenced in Ireland until the last quarter of the sixteenth century. Window glass, coloured glass, and drinking glass were certainly made there in 1585, and their manufacture appears to have been carried on more or less steadily from that time onwards in various parts of the country.
History records, for instance, that very early in the seventeenth century a patent was granted to a man named Aston to make glass in Ireland for a period of twenty-one years.
It was not until the second quarter of the eighteenth century that the great period of Irish glass-making arrived, and pieces were produced rivalling, or even surpassing, the best wares of their kind made in England and on the Continent. Unfortunately for the success of the factories, the English Government passed an Act, in 1788, entirely prohibiting the export of glass from Ireland. This measure did more than anything to cripple the great and growing industry, but did not actually kill it, as the makers were not forbidden to sell their goods in their own country!
Irish glass was characterised by what was then regarded as a grave defect. Little or none of it was as colourless as contemporary English pieces, and consequently it did not in those days attain the reputation of the latter. This characteristic, despite the endeavour of local manufacturers to do away with it, appears to have continued for something like a century. Mr. Dudley Westropp, in his important work on "Irish Glass," page 162, mentions a "letter from Exeter, dated December 7th, 1832," in which "Elizabeth Walpole, one of the partners in the Waterford Glass Works, says she had a conversation with Edward Eardley, a glass merchant of Exeter and Plymouth, about some glass she was getting over from Waterford, with a view of selling. She says that Eardley stated that all the Irish glass he had ever seen was dark coloured; but she told him she had sent for some Waterford glass, so that he might see for himself."
This statement throws a light on the somewhat equivocal reputation enjoyed by Irish glass until well on in the second quarter of the nineteenth century, and alsoshows that at that time the Waterford makers considered that they had entirely freed their metal from the dark tone formerly characterising it. It is indeed a curious irony of human endeavour that the makers of Waterford glass, now deservedly famous for its beautiful and dark grey-blue tone, tried to eradicate it from quite an early date. They endeavoured to make their glass whiter and clearer, like that of Bristol, and in this they succeeded after 1830. Thelateglass of Waterford,i.e., made 1835 or afterwards, was actually whiter than that of Dublin.Little did these glass artists think that a century later people in all parts of the world would be trying to reproduce the early dark colour without success.
The poor reputation for colour that Irish glass suffered under during the eighteenth century must in itself have greatly interfered with the export trade in the finer pieces. That there was an immense export trade during that period is shown from contemporary statistics, but this appears to have been largely confined to commoner wares, such as bottles, glasses, vials, and other articles in constant use and requiring frequent renewal. The finer and more fragile pieces were generally kept at home. The country gentry considered it the proper thing to support local factories by buying the wares made at them, though they did not always appreciate their purchases, and in many instances supplemented them with imported English glass, which they used in preference. Thus it happens that in many old Irish country houses choice specimens of Irish glass have been discovered stored away in garrets and cupboards practically unused since they were made.
There is little or no documentary evidence to establish the origin of these pieces, for, as a race, Irish land-owners are not addicted to keeping receipts of century-old bills, but tradition and the appearance of the surviving pieces confirm the fact that they were originally of Irish manufacture. It must be remembered that the tradition is the more likely to be true because until comparatively recently Irish glass was only lightly valued, so that it was more to the interest of the owner to consider it of English rather than of native manufacture. The tradition, however, is confirmed by the colour and other characteristics of the pieces. It is interesting to note that in many instances missing pieces in sets have been replaced by later productions of English manufacture. The differences between these and their originals are generally easily discernible, the rich depth of tone, which is such a beautiful characteristic of Irish work, being almost altogether absent from the former.
It must not be thought from these remarks that old Irish glass is plentiful. The commoner wares, such as wine glasses, tumblers, and bottles, which were manufactured in such profusion during the eighteenth century, have practically disappeared; and though a larger proportion of the finer and more valuable pieces, used less frequently and treated with greater care by successive generations of owners, have survived, they are still comparatively rare. Nine-tenths of the so-called old Irish glass offered for sale have no claims to be considered as genuine, but are either old pieces from other countries or modern fakes—chiefly the latter.
From time to time humorists over here state that "no glass was ever made in Ireland," so that the following list of localities where a few of the best known glass-houses stood will be of interest:—
Antrim: (Ballycastle) 1755 to 1790.
Bottles, heavy rummers, and very coarse but useful glass.
Belfast: 1781 to 1870.
Fine flint glass, heavy, rather white handsome deep cutting and very fine bold engraving.Glass was brought here from other parts of Ireland to be decorated.Foreign engravers were employed and excellent work done. Very fine lustres, candlesticks, etc., were made here by McDowell, following chiefly Adam and Georgian designs.
Cork: 1782 to 1844.
Finely cut glass of every description, delicate engraving on blown ware, gilding; particularly famous for its rummers, heavy and light-blown decanters, and, after 1800, whole dessert services of beautiful colour and various cutting. Black glass was made here in 1785, and window glass in 1782.
As the card of membership of the Cork Glass Cutters' Union (shown onPlate I.) proves, "lustre" cutting was popular here.
Dublin: Circa 1630 to 1896.
Window glass was made here from about 1630 and onwards, and as early as 1729 the Round Glass House in Dublin produced choice specimens of glass, such as salvers and dessert baskets, with handles and feet, of particularly fine workmanship and design, but now exceedingly rare and difficult to find. Very beautiful glass was made in Marlborough Street, Dublin, by the firm of Williams, about 1771. They appear to have specialised in chandeliers, candlesticks, salvers, bowls, decanters, bottles, bells, and épergnes. During the last quarter of the eighteenth century and onwards there were numbers of houses here in which every kind of white and coloured glass was made. Many fine specimens still exist, of which Pugh's productions (though rather late) are worthy of note, particularly his "lustre" cutting. The early moulded pieces were very elegant and quaint, very much like Bristol, but so far as I have observed, heavier, and, of course, richer and darker in tone.
Drumrea: (Dungannon) 1771 to 1776.
Much the same kind of glass as Cork, but clearer; noted for fine green and amber coloured glass both in bottles, drops for chandeliers, jelly glasses, wine glasses, and épergnes.
Newry: 1790 to 1847.
A great variety of flint glass, both cut and plain, very heavy. A great deal of table glass was made here.
Waterford: 1729 to 1852.
Produced every possible kind of glass of the most beautiful colour and cutting. The chandeliers, candelabra, boat-shaped and turnover bowls, were perfect. The finest period was just after 1780. After 1830 the glass became much whiter. About 1815 some wonderful deep "step" cutting was done, which made the glass, in some lights, look like silver plate; while dessert services were a great feature, and I constantly come in contact withpartsof these services (tucked away in cellars and odd places) of the most surprisingly beautiful workmanship and colour.