Sofia Martinez
Whitefriars is a renowned British glassware firm that has been producing glassware since 1834. The Whitefriars Glacier range, introduced in 1972, includes whisky tumblers and vases. Whitefriars glassware is known for its distinctive hand-blown glass, which features a polished pontil mark on the base. While Whitefriars glassware is rarely signed, some pieces may bear a signature or a factory mark. For example, the Whitefriars Glacier whisky tumbler is fully Stuart marked on the base.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Flint (clear) crystal textured glass, lead crystal, acrylic, or plastic |
| Capacity | 5oz, 14oz, or 17.5oz |
| Dimensions | 3 inches tall by 2.75 inches in diameter, 3.1/2" in height x 2.3/4" in diameter, or 4 1/8th inches in height with a mouth diameter of 3 inches |
| Brand | Whitefriars |
| Collection | Glacier |
| Colour | Clear, tangerine, kingfisher blue, or meadow green |
| Condition | Used, excellent condition, no chips or cracks, some wear and tear |
| Price | £35.00, £5.99, £7.00, or £17.50 |
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What You'll Learn
Whitefriars #M32 textured glass tumbler
The Whitefriars #M32 textured glass tumbler is a beautiful and elegant piece of drinkware. Standing at approximately 3 inches tall with a diameter of 2.75 inches at its widest point, this tumbler is the perfect size for a refreshing drink. Its clear crystal texture and sleek design make it a stylish addition to any table setting or home bar.
Crafted from high-quality flint crystal glass, the Whitefriars #M32 tumbler is a sturdy and durable choice. Its textured surface provides a secure grip, reducing the risk of accidental slips. The glass is transparent, allowing you to admire the colour and clarity of your favourite whisky or cocktail. This tumbler is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, ensuring a smooth and safe drinking experience.
The Whitefriars #M32 textured glass tumbler has a capacity of 5 ounces, making it ideal for serving whisky, cocktails, or any other beverage of your choice. Its compact size makes it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. Whether you're enjoying a quiet drink at home or hosting a party, this tumbler is a versatile and functional option.
This tumbler is not just a practical choice but also a decorative one. Its textured design and elegant shape make it a stunning display piece, even when it's not in use. You can showcase it on your bar cart or shelf, adding a touch of sophistication to your home décor. The Whitefriars #M32 tumbler is a labelled piece, ensuring its authenticity and making it a valuable addition to any glassware collection.
Available at a price of £35.00, the Whitefriars #M32 textured glass tumbler is a great choice for those seeking both style and functionality in their drinkware. Its durability and elegant design make it a long-lasting and cherished item. Whether you're a whisky connoisseur or simply looking for a unique drinking experience, this tumbler is sure to impress and satisfy your needs.
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Whitefriars crystal whiskey tumbler
Whitefriars is a British glassware company that was originally called James Powell & Sons. The company was started in 1834 when James Powell bought a glass factory in the Whitefriars area of London. Over the years, Whitefriars has been run by James' sons, Arthur, Nathanael, and John Powell, and Nathanael's son, Harry James Powell.
Whitefriars started making glass tableware in the 1860s and, in 1923, the company relocated to a new factory in Middlesex. Some of the designers who have worked with Whitefriars include Arthur Marriott Powell, William Butler, Barnaby Powell, William Wilson, James Hogan, and Geoffrey Baxter.
One of the products designed by Geoffrey Baxter for Whitefriars is the Whitefriars #M32 Textured Glass Glacier Whisky Tumbler. This tumbler is made of clear, textured glass and has a capacity of 5oz. It measures 3 inches tall and 2.75 inches in diameter at its widest point. This tumbler can be purchased for £35 and is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks.
Whitefriars also produces other crystal glassware, including vases, bowls, and drinking glasses in various colours and patterns. Some pieces are labelled with a "Whitefriars Full Lead Crystal, Handmade in England" gold foil label, a "Whitefriars, Made in England" blue and silver foil export label, or a black-and-white paper label indicating that the piece was selected for The Design Centre, London.
Additionally, there are 20 oz "Glacier" plastic tumblers available from Gold Image Printing and Logotech, which are used for promotional purposes by businesses. These tumblers are made of BPA-free plastic and have a steel exterior, making them shatter-resistant. They can be customised with a company's logo or message and are available in various colours.
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Whitefriars glass history
The firm of James Powell and Sons, also known as Whitefriars Glass, were London-based English glassmakers, leadlighters and stained-glass window manufacturers. The company existed as Whitefriars Glass from the 18th century but became well-known in the 19th century due to the Gothic Revival and the demand for stained glass windows.
In 1834, James Powell (1774-1840), a 60-year-old London wine merchant, purchased the Whitefriars Glass Company, a small glassworks off Fleet Street in London, believed to have been established in 1680. Powell and his sons, Arthur and Nathanael, were new to glassmaking but quickly learned the necessary skills. They experimented with new techniques and focused much of their production on creating stained-glass windows for churches. During the latter part of the 19th century, the firm collaborated closely with prominent architects and designers such as T.G. Jackson, Edward Burne-Jones, William De Morgan and James Doyle.
In the 1850s, the company's production expanded to include domestic table glass after supplying glassware for William Morris's Red House. In 1875, Harry James Powell, the grandson of the founder and an Oxford graduate in chemistry, joined the business. His expertise led to more scientific production methods and innovations, including previously unattainable colours and heat-resistant glass, which found applications in science and industry, such as X-ray tubes and light bulbs.
In 1919, the firm's name was changed to Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd, and in 1923, they opened a new, larger factory in Wealdstone, on the northwest edge of London. This move was intended to facilitate the company's growth and take advantage of the nearby River Thames for easy transportation of raw materials. Despite their flourishing business, the high cost of the new factory caused them to abandon plans to construct a village for their workers.
Between the World Wars, the company experienced improved business and financial conditions. During this period, their glassware became more colourful and heavy, and they adopted optic moulding and wheel engraving techniques, contributing to the spread of the Art Deco style. James Humphries Hogan, a designer with the firm, had a significant impact on Powell & Sons during this time.
In the 1930s, the firm began producing millefiori paperweights, but this prosperous period ended with the onset of World War II, as glass manufacture was restricted to supporting the war effort. By the war's end, the company was struggling to stay afloat. However, the Festival of Britain in 1951 helped the British economy recover, and Whitefriars was highlighted as an outstanding example of modern British industry. In 1952, the company was acquired by GH Zeal Limited, who changed the name back to Whitefriars Glass Ltd in 1962, specialising in freeform domestic glassware.
In 1967, designer Geoffrey Baxter introduced a range of textured vases, using found objects like bark and nails to produce moulds for soda-lime glass. He expanded the colour palette to include willow, cinnamon, indigo, tangerine, meadow green, aubergine, pewter, ruby, lilac, sage green, aqua, gold, flint (clear), and kingfisher blue. Despite its renowned history and innovative designs, Whitefriars Glass Factory closed its doors in October 1980 due to high labour costs and economic problems in the UK.
In 1981, Caithness Glass purchased a 25-year license to use the Whitefriars name for its paperweights, ensuring the legacy of the Whitefriars brand continued even after the closure of the original factory.
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Whitefriars collectability
Whitefriars glassware has become highly collectable, with the market seeing a great explosion in interest for the Geoffrey Baxter wares in particular. Baxter's contribution to the Whitefriars story had already achieved cult status by the time of his death in 1995, and since 2000, there has been a succession of ever-greater auction prices for his designs. For example, a large Banjo vase in Tangerine would have cost £500 or more around 2005, with more unusual colours such as Kingfisher Blue or Meadow Green reaching closer to £1500. The smaller pieces, in modish forms such as Cello, Aztec, Sunburst, Concentric TV and Guitar, were all trading at new levels from £100 upwards.
Whitefriars glassware is also collectable for its historical significance. The company, founded in 1834, was known for its textured domestic glass, notably the Glacier range of 1972, and its millefiori paperweights. The factory closed in 1980 due to financial difficulties, and the trademark is now owned by the Scottish glassmaker Caithness. The Whitefriars pieces from the late 1960s are especially collectable, as they represent an important contribution to late 1960s design.
Collectors should be aware of convincing copies on the market, which are identifiable by their weight, subtle differences in colour, and lack of a polished pontil mark on the base, which is a characteristic of Whitefriars' hand-blown glass.
Today, Whitefriars glassware can be found for sale on vintage and antique websites, as well as auction sites like eBay, with prices ranging from £5.99 for a tumbler glass to £35 for a whisky tumbler.
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Whitefriars trademark
The Whitefriars trademark is a small symbolic White Friar, inspired by the Carmelite Fathers, whose white habits were known among the populace as the White Friars. The trademark is now owned by the Scottish glassmaker Caithness and is exported to all parts of the world where British craftsmanship is esteemed.
The Whitefriars glassworks was first established near the legal Inns of Court in the Temple, beside the River Thames. The site was originally a monastery of the Carmelite Fathers. In 1834, James Powell, a wine merchant and entrepreneur, purchased the business for his three sons, who had no experience in glassmaking. They soon began incorporating and improving on new manufacturing processes and technologies, such as mass-producing decorative quarry glass.
Whitefriars led fashion and technology in the manufacture of domestic decorative and table glass for a century and a half. They were great innovators, patenting many new manufacturing processes. This success led them to work closely with leading architects and designers of the day, including Philip Webb and William Morris. In the 1870s, Harry James Powell, the founder's grandson, brought a more scientific approach to glassmaking, discovering many new innovations and colours.
In 1919, the company changed its name to Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd. and opened a new facility in Wealdstone, near Harrow, in 1923. The new factory produced both scientific glass and table glassware. The Whitefriars factory closed in 1980, and the records and contents of the factory museum were given to the Museum of London.
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Frequently asked questions
A Whitefriars Glacier tumbler is a whisky tumbler made of textured glass. It was designed by the renowned British firm, Whitefriars, and released in 1972.
Whitefriars Glacier tumblers are made of crystal or glass. They are not made of plastic.
The Whitefriars Glacier tumbler measures approximately 3 inches tall and 2.75 inches in diameter at its widest point. It has a capacity of 5oz.
With the exception of the experimental Studio range from the late 1960s, Whitefriars pieces are rarely signed. However, some tumblers may be marked with the "Stuart England" signature on the base.
