Vases from the period 1962 to 1969

The items shown here represent the rarer shapes. Originally launched in Midnight Blue, Shadow Green and Amethyst, these thinly-blown soda vases were also in some cases made in Ruby, Golden Amber, Twilight and much later in Pewter. Whitefriars changed their label during 1962 from the 'Hooded Monk' to the more stylised logo, and this range of vases can be found with both styles of label. _c1

Midnight Blue. i. Candleshade pattern M129 with clear base (9¾" - introduced in 1966, remained in production in Ruby until closure in 1980); ii. Pattern 9597 (5½"); iii. Pattern 9474 (7½") this vase was carried forward into this range from the late 1950s when it had also been made in Golden amber, Sea Green, Twilight and Ruby; Pattern 9471 (2½"). _c1

Amethyst. i. Pattern 9553 (4¾"); ii. Pattern 9594 (8"); Pattern M26 Tumbler (10oz, also made in Flint). _c1

Shadow Green. i. Pattern 9593 (6" high); ii. Nightlight shade pattern M128 (6½"); 'Bow-tie' vase pattern 9591 (5½"); Carafe pattern M122. _c1

Ruby. i/ii. Pattern 9596 in two sizes (9½" and 7½"); iii. Pattern 9594 (8"); iv. Pattern 9591 (5½"); v. Pattern 9599 (6½"). _c2

Pattern M122 (6½" high). A Carafe made in thinly-blown soda glass for the tableware range. _c1

Pattern 9592 in shadow green, the carafe on the left is often mistaken for this rare vase. _c2

Mould blown thin-wall soda vases. The three large vases at the rear are now known to not be Whitefriars, but were Swedish imports from the same period. The vases in the middle/front are: i. pattern 9600 in midnight blue (8"); ii. pattern 9597 in midnight blue (5½"); iii. pattern 9602 in midnight blue (6¾"); iv. pattern 9601 in midnight blue (7½"); v/vi. pattern 9596 in Amethyst (two sizes 7½" & 9½"); vii. pattern 9597 in amethyst (5½"); viii. pattern 9548 in golden amber (3¾") - made prior to 1962 in this colour; ix. pattern 9599 in amethyst (6½"); x. pattern 9598 in amethyst (6½"); xi. pattern 9548 in amethyst (3¾"). _c2

A range of Deep Blue, Deep Green and Ruby vases cased in clear crystal with internal horizontal optic ribbing. Deep Blue was replaced in 1969 by Kingfisher Blue which is more turquoise. There was some crossover, and a number of Blue Hooped vases (pattern 9680) in the textured range were made in this Deep Blue as well as in the Kingfisher Blue.i/ii. Pattern 9584 (6" and 7¼"); iii. Pattern 9583 (6½"); iv. Pattern 9586 (5½"); v. Pattern 9585 (5¼"); vi. Pattern 9587 (5¾"); vii. Pattern 9582 (6½"); viii. Pattern 9518 (4"). _c1

Experimental Optic rib vases, not cataloged, with the exception of v. Vases ii, iii and v are all pattern 9582, however ii has the optic banding running vertically instead of horizontal and iii is in an experimental form of Sage Green that has a slightly roughened texture (called 'zest') to the surface. i and ii are Kingfisher Blue while iv and v are Deep Blue. _c1

Left plate: i/ii. Pattern C570, 1964 - 1980 (4½" and 5½"); iii/iv. Pattern C597 shown in 9¼" (1967 - 1974) and 7¾" (1972 - 1980), not shown 6½" (1972 - 1980). Right plate: i. Pattern C585, 7¾" (1964 - 1980). _c1

Whitefriars remarked of these vases: "The English invention in 1676 of lead crystal with it's intrinsic clarity and brilliance very soon led to the development of the art of cutting glass, a skill almost as old as Whitefriars itself. Although modern electrically driven lathes are now used to turn the cutting wheels, the intricate skills of the craftsman cutter remain constant in the practice of this old craft. The patterns illustrated suggest why, after 300 years, no substitute has been found to replace the qualities for which English hand cut crystal has become world renowned."

Thin-wall mould blown soda vases with an applied enamel edging. These vases are quite rare as the ceramic in many cases did not adhere adequately to the soda glass. The enamel used was the waste from the thermometer manufacture. Shown in Shadow Green they were also made in Midnight Blue. i/ii. Pattern 9637 (10½" and 9") this pattern was also made in 7½" (not shown); iii. Bowl pattern 9635 (9" dia.); iv. Pattern 9638 (9") this pattern was also made in 7½" high (not shown). _c1

Dented vases (a.k.a 'Pinched' vase). Shown in Ruby, Deep Green and Deep Blue, but also made in Shadow Green and Midnight Blue. i Pattern 9632 Ruby (10½"); ii. Pattern 9630 Deep Green (6½"); iii. Pattern 9633 Deep Blue (7¾"). _c1

The vase shown above was exhibited at the Design centre exhibition in 1966 and is believed to be an experimental version of the large swung neck vases, being 4" taller at 20" high. _c2

The textured range designed by Baxter and launched in 1967 is the most widely known of Whitefriars glass. Moulds were made from pieces of old wood, bark, tacks, nails and wire. These components were used in highly original and unusual ways that produced striking effects when cast into iron and used to manufacture cased textured glass. The range was introduced in the three colours Willow, Indigo and Cinnamon, with some of the smaller vases also being made in flint during this period too. Of the original colours Cinnamon was in production for 1 year longer than Willow or Indigo. _c2

i. Shouldered vase pattern 9678 (9½"); ii. Cucumber vase pattern 9679 (11½"); iii. Hooped vase pattern 9680 (11¼"); iv. Banjo pattern 9681 (12"); v. Large drunken bricklayer pattern 9672 (13"); vi. Large waisted vase pattern 9682 (13"). _c2

Banjo pattern 9681 (12") and large drunken brick pattern 9672 (13"). c3

Bamboo vase pattern 9669 (8") and Mobile phone vase pattern 9670 (6½"). _c2

i. Large drunken brick pattern 9672 (13"); ii. Banjo pattern 9681 (12"); Nuts/Bolts slab pattern 9668 (10½"). _c2

Cylindrical textured vases in willow, made by lining a mould with pieced of bark. i. Large 'bark vase' pattern 9691 (9"); ii. Medium bark vase pattern 9690 (7½"); iii. Small bark vase pattern 9689 (6"). _c2

Large willow slab vases. i. Nuts/bolts pattern 9668 (10½"); ii. Basket-weave pattern 9667 (10½"). _c2

Small willow slab vases. i. Bamboo pattern 9669 (8"); ii. Mobile phone pattern 9670 (6½"). _c2

i. Small drunken bricklayer pattern 9673 (8¼"); ii. Cucumber vase pattern 9679 (11½"); iii. Large waisted vase pattern 9682 (13"); iv. Banjo vase pattern 9681 (12"); v. Large drunken bricklayer pattern 9672 (13"); vi. Hooped vase pattern 9680 (11¼"); Large slab vase with Basket-weave pattern 9667 (10½"). _c2

Large Architectural Slabs in Twilight and Flint (7" x 7"). The large slabs are significantly rarer than their smaller counterparts on the right. The Twilight slab on the left (10 small indented circles) was experimental and did not appear in any catalogue. These Slabs were expensive when new, each being approximately the same price as the Large Drunken Bricklayer. Top row - twilight slabs: i four medium indented circles - no pattern, experimental slab; ii. pattern number 4. iii. ten small indented circles - no pattern, experimental slab. Bottom row - flint slabs: iv. pattern number 4; v. pattern number 5; vi. pattern number 3. _c2

Small Architectural Slabs in Flint and Arctic Blue (7" x 3"). i. pattern number 6; pattern number 1; pattern number 2. _c2

The Studio range was introduced in 1969 by Peter Wheeler, an assistant to Baxter, and discontinued sometime during 1970. There were 15 shapes and three finishes. i. Pattern S13 in peacock finish (11¼"); ii. Pattern S8 in peacock finish (5"). _c3

i. Pattern S6 in old gold (10"); ii. Pattern S13 in old gold (11¼"); iii. Pattern S7 in old gold (5"); iv. Pattern S5 in orange (7"). _c3

Following on from the original colours (Willow, Cinnamon and Indigo) of the textured range were a vibrant Tangerine, Kingfisher Blue, Meadow Green and a colour called Pewter which when manufactured correctly produced Grey cased vases with a Silver luster. The Banjo or 'Thrupenny bit' vase (pattern 9681, 12" high) is perhaps the most well known and sought vase in this range. The vase on the left in the picture is Tangerine that has been correctly manufactured, the vase in the centre is also Tangerine, but the vase has been cooled too quickly causing the colour to become too deep. The vase on the right is Ruby, and is thought to have been made as an experiment only. _c1