Stourbridge's
Famous glass quarter is renowned worldwide. Glass is thought
to have been made as early as 3000 BC in the Middle East.
Prior to this natural glass was made by volcanoes. Glass
bottles were found in the tomb of Thutmose I of Egypt
Early glass blowing was carried out by the Ancient Greeks
around 300 BC. to make larger and more useful vessels
than the earlier Egyptian efforts.
Around
200 BC the Romans made plate glass as decorations and
mosaics, they later went on to make cameo glass.
In
the 1200s Venice became wealthy as a result of glassmaking,
this industry flourished on the Isle of Murano. Eventually,
once trade secrets were lost, the industry decline in
Venice, but spread elsewhere.
Other
parts of the Black Country also renowned for glass production
include Brierley Hill and Smethwick, where Chance Brothers
were probably the most famous.
The famous Redhouse
Cone at Wordsley, Stourbridge, one of only 4 remaining in
Britain.
Glassmaking
flourished around the Stourbridge and Brierley Hill areas
as a result of plentiful coal and fireclay, used to line
the furnaces. The industry began in the 16th Century with
the arrival of Hungarian refugees. A number of firms were
in production around the end of the 18th Century. We hope
that you will be able to find plenty of information about
the history of glass in the Black Country by following the
links on this page.
The International Festival of Glass came
to Stourbridge from the 22nd to the 25th August 2008.
This was the 3rd such festival.
The next one will take place in 2010
Check the website for full details, by clicking on the
link to the left.
Broadfield House Museum
Broadfield House Glass Museum
Compton Drive
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 9NS
Tel 01384 812745
For details of the museum and photos click here => Museum
Broadfield House Glass Museum has a magnificent collection
of British glass, much of it made locally, dating from the
17th Century up to the present day.
An exciting programme of events and temporary exhibitions
compliment the glass displays and celebrate the magical
art of glassmaking. There is also a glassmaking studio on
site where visitors can watch and wonder at the glassblowers'
skills.
Admission to the Glass Museum is free.
The Red House Glass Cone lies in the heart of the Stourbridge
glassmaking industry. Built at the end of the 18th Century
the Cone was used for the manufacture of glass until 1936
and is now one of only four cones left in the United Kingdom.
Reaching 100 feet into the sky, the Cone enclosed a furnace
around which men made glass for 140 years.
It's now a busy heritage site hosting exhibitions, events,
children's activities, tours, a programme for schools, live
glassmaking (not on Wednesdays) and craft studios.
The Red House Cone
High Street
Wordsley
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY6 9NS
Chances Glassworks article - a request for information from
David Encill, author of the book on Chance Brothers, the Smethwick
Glass Company.
