BLACKWELL is offering a rare opportunity to glimpse a comprehensive overview of domestic glass by James Powell and Sons of Whitefriars, dating from the 1860s to the early 1920s.
The exhibition at the Bowness Arts and Crafts house looks at the ranges JP developed, its worldwide standing and some of the relationships and design collaborations developed by Harry Powell, James Powell’s grandson.
Apparently, Powell and Sons was the first choice glassmaker for many Arts and Crafts designers with an international reputation for combining innovation and fine craftmanship.
An early commission for William Morris was a range of glasses for his own use.
James Powell purchased Whitefriars Glassworks in 1834, at a time when commercial design reform was under debate.
He looked to the writings of John Ruskin, who pronounced that “all cut glass is barbarous” because cutting obliterated the natural fluidity of the medium.
With that in mind, Powell and Sons produced beautiful blown glass inspired by Venetian glassware.
The exhibition runs until November 1.
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