Waterford crystal
Founded in 1783 in the City of Waterford, Ireland, Waterford Crystal, then
known as The Waterford Flint Glass Manufactory, came into being when George and
William Penrose, two of the city’s developers and exporters, discovered a need
for both plain and ornamental cut flint glass. Having no glass manufacturing
skills themselves, they employed a fellow Quaker, John Hill from Stourbridge in
the English West Midlands, to head their workforce of over fifty.
Ships packed with their fine wares, the like of which had never been witnessed
at that time anywhere in Ireland or England, left Waterford Quay bound for
Spain, the West Indies and North America.
Sixteen years later, following a decision by William to sell, ownership was
transferred to local town’s people: Ramsey, Gatchell and Barcroft. Who opened a shop on the city’s Merchant’s Quay to supply high quality,
reasonably priced, glass products to the local public.
By 1850, the company, due to severe financial difficulties brought about by very
heavy taxation, was forced to close but not before a superb entry was sent to
the Great Exhibition of 1851 at Crystal Palace in London.
Following the Second World War, a small factory was opened on the outskirts of
Waterford and staffed using mostly immigrant workers from the war-torn European
mainland. Due to the overwhelming success of their products at this period in
the company’s history, the factory was very quickly re-located to the forty-acre
site that it has occupied to this day.
The brilliance, of what is arguably the most beautiful lead crystal in the
world, is achieved by “blowing” precisely metered air into the molten crystal at
very specific points so as to achieve the near-perfect shape of each piece. Once
molded, an apprentice trained master cutter then cuts the crystal. Each
apprenticeship takes five years to complete and the final test for any cutter is
to complete the apprentice bowl. These bowls showcase all of the skills required
to become a master cutter. Needless to say, these are much sought after by any
serious collector or enthusiast.
Waterford crystal has been the choice of the European aristocracy for
generations and their chandeliers can be seen displayed in Westminster Abbey,
Windsor Castle and the Kennedy center and, each year, the Waterford Crystal Ball
is featured at the Times Square New Years Eve Ball.
Each pattern is named after something of beauty, either a girls name: Alana,
Sheila or Colleen, or a celebration of the beauty of Ireland itself: Lismore,
Powerscourt or Kenmare.
The beauty of Waterford Crystal is something to behold and will give that je ne
se qua to any situation, whether you’re dining with royalty or some special
friend, Waterford Crystal will rise to the occasion.
Buy
Waterford Crystal from Best Wishes of Boca
- Free shipping on orders over $100.00 to the Contiguous
States.
Buy Waterford Crystal from Cashs of
Ireland
- Free shipping to the Contiguous States on selected items.
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