ENGLISH GLASS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1932, Page 9

ENGLISH GLASS

SIMPLICITY OF DESIGN

NEW ZEALANDER'S WORK

(From "The Post's" Bepresentative.) LONDON, 30th September.

With the modern tendency toward Simplicity in furnishings and domestic '(decorations it is natural for people to ask for simple designs in. glassware for table use and ornaments. "What is known as modern glass has hitherto been obtained from the Continent. Now, however, a well-known firm of glass manufacturers of Stourbridge have determined to make a break from tho Victorian style, and they have employed a New Zealand architect, Mr. Keith D. P. Murray, formerly of Auckland, to develop a style from. Georgian models, the object being not to imitate these models but to continue . the progress of styles as though it had not been interrupted by the Victorian age. Mr. Murray has been making a study of glassware, and in the exhibition of his work to be seen at the London showrooms of the manufacturers, Messrs. Stevens and Williams, he certainly reveals his gifts in the craft that he has taken up. .

The firm in question has a century and a half of experience in the making of fine glass, and this experience has been, put at the disposal of the designer, ■who understands the English tradition and also the modern, movement in design. The idea has been to eliminate ;the flashing cutting and show the pure crystal quality of the fine English glass. Wine glasses, for instance, are made of the finest and lightest glass, either [quite plain or sparingly cut or engraved unostentatiously.

There is a wide rango of designs, tohich include all tho table glass vitenfeils, decanters, flower bowls and'vases, and in every one the pieces obtain their beauty from the dignified form and the quality/ of the glass rather than any imposed ornamentation.

One learns from the expert in these matters that it is just as expensive to produce a clear glass utensil as to produce one elaborately cut and ornamented. Bubbles are apt to be found in. the blown, glass. These bubbles may be obscured in the cutting, but when the object is to produce a clear uncut utensil it may be necessary to reject two or three attempts before a perfectly clear piece is obtained. ON SHOW AT COPENHAGEN. It is very interesting to learn that a number of the specimens of Mr. Murray's designs are being shown at the Copenhagen Exhibition. The selectors of all the exhibits were experts who came to England to decide what styles and types would appeal to prospective Panish buyers. At the present time there is a tremendous variety of patterns from which selectors can choose, and in process of time it will bo possible to eliminate those which are likely to be less popular than, others, so that the manufacturers will concentrate on fhose. • Art journals are greatly interested in. this latest species, and are publishing'illustrations, while some of the leading house-furnishing stores are leaking special-displays.