waterford artisan tour 2015

48 Pages·2015·2.39 MB·English

WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015
Waterford City, Ireland is home to the
House of Waterford Crystal, where skilled
Waterford Crystal artisans carry on
longstanding traditions of mouth blowing,
hand finishing, sculpting and engraving.
The rich Waterford heritage spans centuries,
with origins that date to 18th century
Ireland. Through the years, our reputation
for design and innovation has elevated the
Waterford brand to a position of status as
the world’s finest crystal.
The House of Waterford Collection pays
tribute to the skilful hands of Waterford
Crystal’s most masterful craftsmen. These
crystal pieces are created to satisfy the
imagination, pursue an inspiration or simply
master the silvery sparkling medium that has
challenged artists for centuries.
F R E D C U R T I S
WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015
Our guest Artisan in 2015 is Fred Curtis. What started
out as a summer job for 15-year-old Fred Curtis turned
into a vocation, leading him to his current position as
Master Sculptor and Designer at the House of Waterford
Crystal and worldwide ambassador for the world’s most
beloved crystal.
In 1971, Fred Curtis applied for a summer job at
Waterford, and subsequently enrolled in a five year
apprenticeship as a glass cutter. He qualified with
distinction and achieved the status of Master Cutter in
ten years.
His early experiments with sculpting little gifts for family
and friends from solid pieces of discarded crystal did not
go unnoticed and in 1986 he was asked to establish a
new sculpting department at Waterford Crystal.
Over the years Fred designed and sculpted some of
Waterford’s most beautiful trophies and presentation
pieces for some of world’s most famous people, including
Mother Theresa of Calcutta, US Presidents Barack
Obama and Bill Clinton, golfing legend Greg Norman
and actor Clint Eastwood to name just a few.
Fred continues to design and sculpt crystal pieces
of extraordinary beauty. He enjoys the freedom of
expression at Waterford that allows him to create
individual works of art in crystal that further enhance
his expertise as a true Master.
During the 2015 tour events Fred will demonstrate
his outstanding crystal cutting skills.
F O U R
S E A S O N S
COLLECTION
The House of Waterford Crystal pays homage to the
Four Seasons by celebrating the four key seasonal moments
of the year: the Summer and Winter Solstices and the
Autumnal and Vernal (Spring) Equinoxes. Four new
and unique Waterford wedge cutting patterns poetically
represent the passing of seasons in a series of cut crystal
bowls and vases, as well as one grand vase featuring all four
patterns. Each season is represented by a unique cutting
pattern evocative of the spirit of the season.
FOUR SEASONS
collection
7129 037 Summer Solstice Bowl
RRP $1,399 AUD Designed and made at the House of Waterford Crystal
RRP $1,699 NZD
The summer solstice occurs when the Earth’s semi-axis tilt, in either the
Hand cut crystal
northern or the southern hemisphere, is most inclined toward the Sun.
25cm length The 2015 House of Waterford Crystal Four Seasons collection pays
25cm width
homage to this annual occurrence. Featuring fan and olive cuts along
16cm height
with a scalloped lip this bowl makes the perfect addition to
Import of 8
any collection.
WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015 5
FOUR SEASONS
collection
7129 038 Autumnal Equinox Vase
RRP $1,599 AUD Designed and made at the House of Waterford Crystal
RRP $1,999 NZD
An equinox occurs twice a year, around 20 March and 22 September. The
Hand cut crystal
word equinox means the day when daytime and night are of approximately
18cm length equal duration. In honour of this phenomenon Waterford has introduced
18cm width
for 2015 the Autumnal Equinox Vase. This stunning vase designed and
31cm height
made at the House of Waterford Crystal, Ireland features olive shaped cuts
Import of 12
that represent falling leaves and the autumn season.
6 WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015
FOUR SEASONS
collection
7129 039 Winter Solstice Bowl
RRP $1,399 AUD Designed and made at the House of Waterford Crystal
RRP $1,699 NZD
Winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon which marks the shortest
Hand cut crystal
day and the longest night of the year. Winter solstice occurs for the
25cm length Northern Hemisphere in December and for the Southern Hemisphere in
25cm width
June. The Winter Solstice Bowl features starburst cuts that resemble the
16cm height
sparkle of stars.
Import of 8
WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015 7
FOUR SEASONS
collection
7129 040 Vernal Equinox Vase
RRP $1,599 AUD Designed and made at the House of Waterford Crystal
RRP $1,999 NZD
The Vernal (Spring) Equinox occurs once annually in both the northern
Hand cut crystal
and southern hemispheres. Like the Autumnal Equinox the length of day
18cm length and night is approximately the same length and marks the beginning of
18cm width
Spring officially. The Four Seasons Vernal Equinox Vase made at the House
31cm height
of Waterford Crystal, Ireland features wedge and diamond cuts
Import of 12
that resemble flowers to represent the season of Spring.
8 WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015
FOUR SEASONS
collection
7129 041 Four Seasons Vase
RRP $1,799 AUD Designed and made at the House of Waterford Crystal
RRP $2,299 NZD
Each season of the year is represented on the Four Seasons
Hand cut crystal
Vase. Featuring a series of wedge, diamond and straight cuts
21cm length this vase evokes the spirit of each season.
21cm width
36cm height
Import of 10
WATERFORD ARTISAN TOUR 2015 9
P E A C O C K
COLLECTION
With their iridescent feathers and decadent beauty inspiring
decorative imitations both abstract and literal, Peacocks have been
a favourite ornamental motif for millennia. A flying bird of the
pheasant variety, the name peacock refers to the male of the species,
known for his extravagant spotted tail feathers. Peacocks have long
been a symbol of wealth, beauty and rebirth since ancient times and
they remain a popular motif today, perhaps because they can be
beautiful as both a graphic image and as a representation of nature.
Designer John Connolly was inspired by the graphic pattern of the
proud peacock’s feathers to create a new deep cutting pattern that
is realised in a new collection at The House of Waterford Crystal in
Ireland. Oversized shapes are lavishly adorned with signature wedge
cuts, deep thumb-print cuts, and ring cuts, to create a sparkling
treasure that is as beautiful as its namesake.