New book from Andy McConnell: The Decanter, Ancient to Modern

Andy McConnell, who almost everyone will know as the glass expert from the Antiques Roadshow BBC TV programme, has published a massive, revised and updated version of his decanter book.

The Decanter, Ancient to Modern by Andy McConnell, published in 2018. On sale now on eBay (and you can request signed copies if you want.)

This encyclopedic new edition of  The Decanter, the result of nearly 20 years research, is the most approachable history of fine glassmaking ever published.

In presenting the subject across a broad timescale - spanning ancient Mesopotamia to the modern day, The Decanter explores the history of glassmaking from a decanter perspective. The engaging, accessible text explores the stylistic and technical evolution of fine glassmaking alongside its influences and social uses.

The book comprises full-colour 544 pages, 165,000 words and 2,650 images that illustrate over 3,500 examples. The images have been drawn from a stock of 10,000s, from institutions and private collections.

Andy McConnell is a British journalist specialising in antique and vintage glassware. He is the author of  The Decanter, An Illustrated History of Glass [2004] and 20th Century Glass [2006]. He has also been the Antique Roadshow's glass specialist since 2005.

Help make glassmaking more eco-friendly

Just £500 to raise in the next 54 hours - can you help this pioneering eco-glass project? 

It's money well-spent - not only do you help Siddy achieve her goal, you also receive a piece of Siddy's glass as a thank you! 

What's not to like??? 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/880030579/this-is-my-chance-to-make-glassblowing-more-eco-fr/posts/1038409

London Lampworkers by Angela Bowey

Some exciting news this week... my friend Angela has published the introductory volume to her London Lampworkers trilogy. This is such a fascinating area for glass collectors, and the intro book gives a oversight of lampworkers in London, explaining how what lampwork is, who made it and how they came to be in London. The trilogy will cover three main lampworkers: Bimini, Pirelli, and Komaromy.

The introductory volume is also now available in paperback format - see new link added below.

You can find Angela's introductory volume on sale in the Amazon Kindle store - click the link below to go straight there:

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Alavna Vintage & Collectable Glass

My new webshop selling Vintage & Collectable Glass is now live: http://alavna.yobunny.co.uk/ lots more stock to add, so that'll keep me busy for the rest of the week!!!

Sklo Union Glass Collection - Still some left...

http://www.sklo-union-glass.com

There are still some really nice pieces of Czech glass to be had here, plus some other glass, so check it out before you miss it!

Gift Idea: Glass website subscriptions

Christmas is coming and we're all wondering what to buy for Christmas... some of us have friends who really enjoy the research side of glass collecting, so how about buying them a gift subscription to one of Frank Andrew's amazing glass websites?

Frank runs the Glass Zoo, where he collects info and photos of all sorts of animals and figures made from glass; and he also runs the Glass Study, where he is digitising and sharing a huge amount of material from his own and other collections. The material includes catalogues, articles, advertisements and much much more and a subscription gives you unlimited access for the period of the subscription.

Subscriptions for the Glass Zoo are just €10 for 2 years, whilst the Glass Study is a little more at €30 per year, but both are far outweighed by access to some of the most amazing glass information available online.

And the collection is growing all the time, so you actually get more for your money as the year passes... you can't say the same about a box of chocolates now, can you?!

Another Czech glass collection for sale

A Scandinavian glass friend is moving and needs to downsize his collection, so is having a sale. There might be something which tickles your fancy, so why not check it out here: http://bohemiabloggen.blogspot.com/ and there are photos of the items here: https://picasaweb.google.com/106370355733525107342/BohemiaGlas

Czech Sklo Union glass private collection for sale

A new site set up to sell a private collection of mainly 'Sklo Union' Czech pressed glass. The collection comprises about 450 pieces illustrated with over 2,500 images, and are being offered at very reasonable prices. If you're a SU collector you need to scoot over there before they all sell! http://www.sklo-union-glass.com/

SE21 the Glass and Ceramics Fair Sunday 3rd April 2011

Text below copied from website to help promote the event:

SE21 (the Glass and Ceramics Fair) is to be held at Dulwich College, Dulwich Common, London in the light-filled modernist setting of the Christison Hall on Sunday 3rd April 2011.

This event represents a new concept in specialist fairs, bringing together antique and contemporary glass with ceramics from both the secondary market and directly from the artists themselves.

With a balanced mix of both disciplines, and with the emphasis on quality and design, SE21 will be the destination of choice for those interested in sourcing unusual and desirable items to complete their décor and collections.

Visitors will be able to browse all types of decorative and collectable glass and ceramics; from Powell to Poole, Mdina to Moorcroft and Lalique to Fat Lava.

You will find glass specialists exhibiting 18th century drinking glasses, stylish Scandinavian, Italian and British art glass, as well as antique continental glass by makers such as Gallé and Lalique. Ceramics will be well represented by trusted quality experts, offering items from the 18th century onwards and SE21 will also feature some of the most exciting contemporary glass and ceramics makers working in the UK.

In addition, there will be a glassblowing demonstration by Allister Malcolm, resident glass artist at Broadfield House Glass Museum, and for ceramics enthusiasts and anyone wanting to learn more about how it's done, a demonstration by potter Richard Baxter of Old Leigh Studios in Essex.

Refreshments will be available from Ned’s Café and the venue has ample free parking. The venue is well connected by both the bus and rail networks with West Dulwich station nearby.

Read more here: http://www.gcse21.com/

Carnival Glass Auction Saturday 16 April, Bedfordshire

Event Sponsored by the Carnival Glass Society UK
Carnival Glass Auction
Saturday April 16th, 2011 at the Slip End Village Hall, Near Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 4BX

Viewing from 10 a.m. Auction starts 1 p.m.
Refreshments available

PRIVATE COLLECTION SALE

The family of the late Frank Horn will offer almost 400 of his most treasured pieces of carnival glass at this special auction event.

Includes the Frank Horn Memorial Raffle in which you can win a blue SUNK DAISY bowl for your collection, as well as a general raffle with a selection of prizes.

A fabulous selection of colours, makers, shapes and patterns will be on offer to suit all budgets.

Includes items from the USA, Europe, India and Australia.

More details on the website

Reflected Light - Adam Aaronson at Robert Phillips Gallery Walton on Thames

My friend Adam Aaronson is exhibiting some of his gorgeous glass as below. Adam's work is to die for! http://www.adamaaronson.com/adam.php?navID=17

Reflected Light - Adam Aaronson at Robert Phillips Gallery Walton on Thames
Wednesday 23rd March to Sunday 17th April 2011
11am to 4pm Wed-Sat,
2.30 to 4.30pm Sun

http://www.riverhousebarn.co.uk/index.php?page=visarts&cat=23

http://www.adamaaronson.com/adam.php?showExhibition=473&navID=17&subID=

Simon Bruntnell, glass photographer

I'm so looking forward to a new book coming out. It's by Simon Bruntnell, a photographer who specialises in glass pictures - and they are amazing! He did the photos for Marcus Newhall's Sklo Union book (see previous in this blog).

Anyhow, Simon's rounded up a whole load of his photos of contemporary glassmakers' work and has a book of them coming out in March 2010. I can't wait to see it!

Objects of Desire

New book about Scotland's Glass

In 2010, 400 years of glassmaking is being celebrated in Scotland with a whole year of events. Just published is a new book celebrating those 400 years, written by Shiona Airlie and Brian Blench, and entitled Scotland's Glass 400 Years of Glassmaking, 1610-2010, it's published by Cortex Design and can be bought from their website for a very reasonable £14.99. The book is large-format (280mm x 210mm), approx. 77pp, full-colour, printed on quality art paper and is fully illustrated with over 200 full-colour photographs.