Whitefriars

Whitefriars Glassworks is one of the longest active British glasshouses that manufactured highly creative lines of glassware for more than 250 years. The origin of Whitefriars Glassworks can be traced back to 1680s, when one William Davies founded it near the ’Temple’, in the City of London. Although, the company officially opened in the early 1700s, its famed and prolific era of production started in the 19th Century, when successful businessman, James Powell, acquired Whitefriars Glassworks later in 1834.

Inspired from popular glass design ideas and personal observation, Powell made glassware which reflected the glass trends used by his own family members and wealthy friends. A successful wine merchant, he realised that producing unique, high-quality hand-blown art glass was the best way to be successful in the production of glass. True to his visions, since the early days, the company has produced high-quality hand blown glass that made up the majority of its product line. Whitefriars glass products are best known for its cutting-edge designs and rich colours that were very popular during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras. These included soft, flowing iridescent handkerchief vases and fabulous reproduction of Venetian art glass. Whitefriars glassware today is well-known for its "Industrial Art" glass.

The Whitefriars glass is a collector’s item today with multitude of styles and historic lines of glass to choose. The Whitefriars glass items that are available include Whitefriars paperweight, Whitefriars vase and Whitefriars glass vase.