The Lectures of
Charles R. Hajdamach

1. Ancient Glass from the Roman Empire

• Invention of main glass techniques
• Cameo, engraved, cut, coloured and mosaic glass
• Invention of glass blowing
• Mass production
• Souvenirs of gladiatorial fights
• Insight into social and political atmosphere

2. Venetian Glass and Its Influences

• Glass in Venice over 4 centuries
• Influence in Europe and America
• Verzelini in London in reign of Queen Elizabeth I
• Invention of lead glass in England
• 19th century fascination with Murano
• The Memphis style

3. Masterpieces of 18th Century British Glass

• A national style
• Rococo wineglasses, chinoiserie opaque white vases and neo-classical cut glass
• Candelabra and chandeliers
• The Jacobite rebellion and Bonnie Prince Charlie
• 18th century paintings showing glass in use from royalty to the humble farmer

4. A Victorian Splendour:
The Golden Age of British Glass

• Glass geniuses
• John Northwood, George Woodall, Apsley Pellatt
• Fabulous glass in a kaleidoscope of colours and decorative techniques
• Cut and engraved glass, cameo and rock crystal glass, pressed glass and Art Nouveau
• British glass at its very best

5. The Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851

• Joseph Paxton's original design
• Building the Crystal Palace
• Glass exhibits from original catalogues
• Glass from London, Birmingham, Manchester and Stourbridge
• Foreign competitors
• British firm wins gold medal

6. Stourbridge Cameo Glass

• Roman cameo glass
• 1875 and John Northwood reinvents cameo glass
• The three great Stourbridge companies
• George Woodall and his masterpieces
• Cameo glass in the 20th century

7. Emile Gallé and René Lalique:
Masters of Art Nouveau and Art Deco Glass

• Two of the greatest French masters
• Gallé’s cameo masterpieces
• Epitome of Symbolist movement
• Lalique as jeweller
• Lalique's success at the 1925 Paris Exhibition

8. 20th Century British Glass

• Art Nouveau and Edwardian glass
• Art Deco
• Keith Murray and Stevens & Williams
• The effect of two World Wars
• Festival of Britain
• Post-war designers
• Paperweights
• Discovery of Pyrex and ovenware
• Studio glass

9. Sophistication in British Art Deco Glass

• Keith Murray at Stevens & Williams
• Stuart Crystal and the Harrods Exhibition, 1934
• Graham Sutherland, Paul Nash, Eric Ravilious and Dame Laura Knight

10. Scandinavian Glass of the 20th Century

• 20th century success story
• Orrefors in Sweden
• Appointment of artists as designers
• Finnish, Norwegian and Danish glass
• Work by Sarpeneva, Wirkkala, Aalto and Lutken
• Design classics

11. The Studio Glass Movement

• International revolution in glassmaking
• A new medium for artistic expression
• Historical background
• Developments in America
• Survey of major British artists and the main techniques
• Sculptural forms, architecture and glass installations

12. Glass Lighting through the Ages

• From Roman oil lamps and Persian mosque lamps to 18th century candlesticks, candelabra and chandeliers
• 18th century trade cards
• Victorian developments
• Art Deco lamps
• Wall lights and cocktail bar

13. Glass with Royal Connections

• Fascinating array of items made and used by royalty through the ages
• Egyptian Pharaohs, Roman Caesars, European crown heads and British Kings and Queens
• Bonnie Prince Charlie

14. Masterpieces of Britain Engraved Glass

• Technique imported from Germany
• 18th century social scenes
• 19th century influence of Bohemian engravers
• The great William Fritsche
• 20th century master engravers
• Sir Laurence Whistler and Peter Dreiser

15. How Do They That? Techniques of Glassmaking

• Early Egyptian and Roman techniques
• 18th century opaque and air-twist wineglasses
• 19th century inventions
• Uranium glass
• Illustrations from present day factories, original patents, and surviving equipment

16. Glasshouses:
A Topographical View of the British Glass Industry

• Views of glass factories around Britain over 300 years
• The English glass cone
• Working conditions and boy labour
• Changes in the 20th century