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Waterford crystal collection is available on
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For
centuries the Irish have been
supreme artists in glass. It is one
of the great traditions in the realm
of art, a tradition founded on
patient and meticulous hand
craftsmanship. But the skill of
Irish hands is only part of the
story - there is also an uncanny
power in those hands to impart
something magical to glass. And in
all of Ireland, no hands have been
more patient, more meticulous, or
more blessed with the elusive powers
of art than the hands of Waterford
crystal's craftsmen.
When
the brothers George and William
Penrose founded the Waterford Glass
House in 1783, they made a bold
promise - to make Waterford crystal in "as
fine a quality as any in
Europe… in the most elegant
style." It was no idle boast. They
had in hand the old secrets of
mingling minerals and glass to
create Waterford crystal of beautiful and
mysterious qualities. It sang
sweetly at the tap of a finger. It
felt soft and warm to the touch yet
possessed strength and durability known only to Waterford crystal.
And it radiated a distinctive,
silvery white brilliance, which
Waterford Crystal's artists enhanced
with deeply - cut ornamentation that
gave the finished pieces a vivacious, traditional Waterford crystal
sparkle. Patience, skill, and
artistry had wrought a
triumph at Waterford crystal.
A
splendid array of drinkware, serving
accessories, and decorative Waterford crystal
flowed from the Glass House into the
aristocratic home of Europe and
America. King George III ordered a
set of Waterford crystal sent to his
residence at a fashionable resort,
where "it has been much admired" by
court society. At two exhibitions,
the Royal Dublin Society bestowed
medals for superb design on
Waterford Crystal's entries. Just as
Waterford's art was reaching its
full flower, the financial climate
turned grim. In 1851 a suite of
ornamental banqueting crystal was
displayed at the London Exhibition
to universal acclaim.
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