Whitefriars Drunken Bricklayer vase, Kingfisher blue, 1966, England.
This is an iconic Brutalist design which is highly collectable; a vintage Whitefriars Drunken Bricklayer vase design number 9672. This is the taller version in the rare Kingfisher blue.
The Kingfisher blue glass radiates and emphasises Whitefriars` famous texture. Comes with the original maker`s label in paper which adds to the authenticity. Together these features make this piece
rare and highly sought after by collectors. For the decorator this iconic piece adds that Mid-Century touch to finish any room.
Designed by Geoffrey Baxter in 1966 as part of his `Textured` range, this vase is a good example of his innovative textured form. This was achieved by glass blowing into moulds which had spot welded sides to achieve the dotted effect.
This design was produced in this colour between 1969-1974.
Excellent condition with no chips or damage. The polished pontil (the
presence of a scar on the bottom) indicates that this glass vase was blown freehand and a sign of authenticity.
Information about the Bricklayer vase is present in the book ‘Whitefriars Glass’, by Lesley Jackson, published by Richard Dennis, 1996 (attached images from the book).
Whitefriars Glass Company
Britain`s longest running glass house, best known as the Whitefriars factory, really came into its own when James Powell purchased the business for his three sons in 1834.
The famous Geoffrey Baxter (1922-1995) was recruited by the Firm in 1954 and most of his glass would seem to date to between 1957 and 1980. His ‘Textured’ range was designed in 1966 and released a year later. The innovation of this range was in Baxter’s unique moulds. Initially tree bark provided the main inspiration, first using the wood itself in the moulds and later copying the effect in iron moulds. Other textures included spot-welding on metal for a dot pattern, tack heads for smaller dots and coil wire in a swirling pattern. The art was in the design and the skill of the mould makers which had never been seen before.
Customers bought up Whitefriars iconic colours to brighten up their post-war homes. By the late 1970`s economics made the output of heavy, thick-walled, textured glass unsustainable. After a decade of producing the `Textured` range Baxter was redirected to traditional paperweights and cut-glass crystal, however the company closed in 1980.
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