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Waterford
Waterford
Crystal designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of
crystal objects d'art, stemware and gifts for distribution throughout the world.
Craftsmanship, stunning design, an unrivalled dedication to quality - these have
been the guiding principles, which have ensured that Waterford Crystal has
come to be recognized as the finest in the world.
The
popular Lismore pattern is substantial and traditional, in brilliantly-cut clear
crystal. Admired for graceful form that defines tradition even
as it transcends it, Lismore has wooed and won three generations. Ireland's
spectacular Lismore Castle provided the inspiration 50 years ago. That spark
lead to a creative outpouring that continues to this day with fresh shapes,
styles and interpretations of this striking diamond and wedge cut.
Acclaimed the world over for excellence in quality and design since 1783,
Waterford promises to keep every stemware pattern in production forever.
| This year, Waterford celebrates the 50th anniversary of the
introduction of the Lismore pattern of crystal. Almost every year since its
inception, Lismore has topped the popularity list and has been the biggest
selling pattern of crystal in the US and the world. |
Waterford Crystal
is the leading brand of
premium crystal, producing superb handcrafted crystal stemware, giftware
and lightingware. Because Waterford Cyrstal is still designed and manufactured to the highest
standards, it is simply regarded as the very best.
Waterford Crystal has become almost a
synonym for the finest quality crystal sought after by collectors and
connoisseurs around the world. Each piece of Waterford can be recognized by the
signature on the base with the word "Waterford", the name of the finest crystal
in the world.
The History of Waterford Crystal
The beginnings
of glass making in Ireland are lost in the mists of time but there is sufficient
archaeological evidence to show that, from the early Iron Age, glass was
regarded with respect. Indeed, medieval documents can prove glass making existed
in Ireland back in the middle 13th century.
However, the Waterford
Crystal story started to blossom in 1783 when two brothers, George and William
Penrose, founded their crystal manufacturing business in the busy port of
Waterford. They were important developers and the city's principal exporters.
The development, they told the Irish Parliament, cost £10,000 - a great deal of
money in the 18th century.
They employed 50 to 70 people, led by a fellow
Quaker, John Hill, from Stourbridge in England, and succeeded in producing
crystal with a purity of colour unmatched in Ireland or England. Merchant ships
sailed regularly from the port of Waterford with cargoes of crystal bound for
Spain, the West Indies, New York, New England and Newfoundland.
But less
than 100 years later the initial company failed due to lack of capital and
excessive taxation. In what seems a remarkably short time, Waterford Crystal
acquired an unequalled reputation that has transcended the intervening
centuries.
Another century passed before the enterprise was revived. In
1947, while Europe was still in ruins after the second World War, a small glass
factory was set up in Waterford just 11/2 miles from the site of the original
glass factory.
Waterford Crystal today has very strong links with its
illustrious predecessor. There is today the same dedication to the purity of
color, to the same design inspiration and to the same pursuit of highest quality
levels possible. The traditional cutting patterns made famous by the artisans of
Waterford became the design basis for the timeless patterns we embrace today.
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Lismore
9 Oz Roly Poly - Set of 4
$250.00
Sale
Price $209.95 Save $40.05
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