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Whitefriars

Whitefriars Glass is the name of the British glass produced by the London firm of James Powell and Sons from the second quarter of the 19^th century until its closure in 1980.

There are several distinctive stylistic periods of manufacture. During the late 19^th and early 20^th century, it was famous for its flowing, fluid wares emulating Venetian glass and the fashionable arts and crafts style. In the interwar period Whitefriars produced more geometric pieces inspired by Art Deco and in the post-war era it was known for its chunkier deep coloured, Mid-Century pieces many of them designed by Geoffrey Baxter.

Whitefriars Drunken Bricklayer – a classic on paper

02 October 2023

Recent sales at Fieldings (26% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Stourbridge have included elements of a cache of working drawings from the Whitefriars factory.

Baxter’s tangerine dream became reality in Whitefriars form

02 October 2023

Geoffrey Baxter’s Banjo vase, part of the Whitefriars’ Textured range, was released in a range of three colours in 1967.

ATG letter: Whitefriars on record

17 July 2023

I noticed your article on Whitefriars glass (collecting guide on antiquestradegazette.com).

Coronation bowl sold at antiques fair had ATG starring role

05 June 2023

A buyer who spotted a Whitefriars Glass finger bowl in the pages of Antiques Trade Gazette snapped it up from dealer Mark West.

Two to look out for at the Battersea Dec fair

01 May 2023

Shown is a finger bowl made by James Powell of Whitefriars Glass for Victoria’s coronation banquet given by the Corporation of London on November 9, 1837.

Baxter Whitefriars Banjo hits the right note in North Yorks

04 April 2022

Eight different colourways of the classic Whitefriars Banjo vase were offered in a single-owner private collection at Tennants (22% buyer’s premium).

A Whitefriars glass vase from the collection of an English pop impresario is among six lots to watch

18 October 2021

With estimates from £400-£16,000, here are six previews of upcoming items this week.

Letter suggests Powell design

29 March 2021

Although catalogued simply as ‘a 19th century Art Nouveau glass’ and estimated at just £30-50, a letter that accompanied this rare wine glass gave a clue to its origins.

Whitefriars stained glass designs offered at Abbott and Holder

04 January 2021

This 1928 ink and watercolour of stained glass for Stockton on the Forest in North Yorkshire is offered at Abbott and Holder for £350.

West Sussex museum buys Edwardian designs for local church windows from London dealer

30 December 2020

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery has bought a presentation watercolour for three stained glass windows in local church St Peter’s in Cowfold from London dealers Abbott and Holder.

Powell stained glass panels shine in sale

28 October 2019

As part of a House & Garden sale, the top-seller at Mallams (22.5% buyer’s premium) in Abingdon was a set of six stained-glass panels by James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars.

Five pieces of post-war British glass for sale at SAS next week

03 January 2019

Well-known and rare glass designs feature in the 200-plus lots from a single-owner collection for sale at Special Auction Services on Tuesday, January 8.

Saleroom selection: Six pieces of Baxter Whitefriars glass on offer at auctions around the UK

01 October 2018

Whitefriars glass can be traced back to the 18th century but it really came into its own after James Powell purchased the business for his three sons in 1834.

Rare glass paperweights at Cirencester sale

04 August 2015

Paperweights from makers such as Caithness, Mdina, Selkirk, Wedgwood and Whitefriars go under the hammer at auctioneers Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester on August 7.

Restaurant’s £5000 Greek legend

22 September 2008

This large three-section glass panel was designed and made by Paul Jefferies at the Whitefriars factory in 1966.

Be aware of Drunken Bricklayers on eBay

18 September 2007

Readers are advised to be wary of cut-price Whitefriars Drunken Bricklayer vases – they may be fakes.

Country Seat prove a glass act once more

09 September 2004

INNOVATIVE Oxfordshire dealers The Country Seat may be best known as furniture specialists, but they are increasingly turning their focus towards 19th and 20th century design.

A toast to two Drunken Bricklayers

19 May 2004

BIRMINGHAM auctioneers Biddle & Webb (15% buyer’s premium) have been holding regular decorative arts sales for some years now. Generally 20th century ceramics top the sales list and this was again the case at the April 16 sale when two 13in (33cm) examples of Drunken Bricklayer vases designed by Geoffrey Baxter for the Whitefriars pottery were major stars.

Adam Partridge: Northern, Contemporary & Selected Art; 20 Apr 2024 - 10:00 AM
Mendip Auction Rooms: Fashion, Textiles, Handbags & Interiors; 23 Apr 2024 - 10:00 AM
Warrington & Northwich: Toys, Games & Transport; 23 Apr 2024 - 10:00 AM
Plakas Auctions: Islamic & Indian Works of Art; 23 Apr 2024 - 12:00 PM
Thimbleby & Shorland: Horse-Drawn Vehicles, Equestrian Pictures, Models & Books; 24 Apr 2024 - 08:00 AM
Auctioneum: Antiques & 20th Century Silver; 24 Apr 2024 - 08:55 AM

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