Not on display

Strata

Wine Glass
1999 (designed), 2003-2004 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This "Strata" wine glass is one item from a range of drinking vessels, vases and bowls designed by Jasper Conran, one of Britain's most successful fashion designers.

Commissioned by Stuart Crystal of the Waterford Wedgwood Group in 1999, Strata is one of several contemporary designs intended for modern lifestyle trends and informal dining, the others being Ice, Aura and Zita. Jasper Conran took his inspiration from the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. He approached glass in the same way as his clothing - for him "the cut is everything". He describes his glass designs as being "clean and subtle...a pleasure to hold and behold". The glasses are in fact surprisingly heavy to hold, with bold deep cutting. The designs are simple but dramatic, festive and fun. Their dynamism has since inspired cheaper imitators - an indication of their success and novelty.

Jasper Conran is the son of designer, restaurateur and founder of Habitat, Sir Terence Conran and his second wife, writer Shirley Conran. One of his classic black evening dresses (T.527-1996) featured in the V&A's "The Cutting Edge" exhibition in 1997. Since 1990, he has also been in demand for stage costume and set design. His affordable "J" ranges for Debenham's now account for 10% of the store's turnover. He has recently designed furnishing fabric and wallpaper for the Designers' Guild and launched his own perfume brand. Since diversifying into glassware for Stuart Crystal in 1999, he has produced lighting designs for Stuart and further tabletop designs (bone china, glass, cutlery) for Stuart's parent company Waterford Wedgwood.

Stuart & Sons Ltd of the Redhouse Glassworks, Stourbridge, West Midlands, was formerly one of the best-known names in British glass-making. In its heyday, between 1930s and 1960s, Stuart produced many stylish modern designs by well-known contemporary designers. Latterly, it's output tended towards traditional designs in cut-glass tableware. Stuart joined the Waterford Wedgwood Group in 1995 and production has since transferred to the Waterford glassworks, Ireland.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleStrata (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Mould blown and wheel cut colourless glass
Brief description
Clear colourless wine glass with stem and wheel-cut swirling design on lower part of bowl, by Jasper Conran for Stuart Crystal, designed 1999, made 2003-2004 in Ireland.
Physical description
Clear colourless glass on stem, with cut swirling pattern over lower half of bowl.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.9cm
  • Diameter: 9cm
Credit line
Given by Waterford Crystal Ltd
Production
Made and cut at the Waterford glassworks, Ireland.
Summary
This "Strata" wine glass is one item from a range of drinking vessels, vases and bowls designed by Jasper Conran, one of Britain's most successful fashion designers.

Commissioned by Stuart Crystal of the Waterford Wedgwood Group in 1999, Strata is one of several contemporary designs intended for modern lifestyle trends and informal dining, the others being Ice, Aura and Zita. Jasper Conran took his inspiration from the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. He approached glass in the same way as his clothing - for him "the cut is everything". He describes his glass designs as being "clean and subtle...a pleasure to hold and behold". The glasses are in fact surprisingly heavy to hold, with bold deep cutting. The designs are simple but dramatic, festive and fun. Their dynamism has since inspired cheaper imitators - an indication of their success and novelty.

Jasper Conran is the son of designer, restaurateur and founder of Habitat, Sir Terence Conran and his second wife, writer Shirley Conran. One of his classic black evening dresses (T.527-1996) featured in the V&A's "The Cutting Edge" exhibition in 1997. Since 1990, he has also been in demand for stage costume and set design. His affordable "J" ranges for Debenham's now account for 10% of the store's turnover. He has recently designed furnishing fabric and wallpaper for the Designers' Guild and launched his own perfume brand. Since diversifying into glassware for Stuart Crystal in 1999, he has produced lighting designs for Stuart and further tabletop designs (bone china, glass, cutlery) for Stuart's parent company Waterford Wedgwood.

Stuart & Sons Ltd of the Redhouse Glassworks, Stourbridge, West Midlands, was formerly one of the best-known names in British glass-making. In its heyday, between 1930s and 1960s, Stuart produced many stylish modern designs by well-known contemporary designers. Latterly, it's output tended towards traditional designs in cut-glass tableware. Stuart joined the Waterford Wedgwood Group in 1995 and production has since transferred to the Waterford glassworks, Ireland.
Collection
Accession number
C.66-2004

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Record createdMarch 21, 2005
Record URL
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