Waterford Crystal Vases

Waterford crystal vases were first made by Waterford Crystal in the city of Waterford, Ireland, when the business was founded in 1783 by George and William Penrose. It produced extremely fine crystal that became world-renowned. Waterford crystal vases are among the very finest in the world and are collectors' items

Waterford Crystal Vases

Not many people realize that the original Penrose Waterford Crystal company closed down in 1851 and remained closed until it was revived after the Second World War in 1947 by the Czech immigrant Charles Bacik, who was impressed by the quality of the early Waterford Crystal vases. It was taken over by an Irish firm again in the early 1950's.

A major new line in Waterford crystal vases and other pieces was started by Jasper Conran in 1999. The endeavour has evolved into four unique lines for Waterford and a complimentary tableware collection in fine bone china for Wedgwood.

But things were not going well for Waterford Wedgewood, despite the extremely high quality of their Waterford crystal vases. In May 2005, Waterford Wedgwood announced the closure of one of its factories in order to consolidate all its operations into the main factory at Kilbarry, Waterford City, where 1,000 people were employed by the company.

The Kilbarry operation included a tourist centre offering guided tours of the factory, a gift shop, cafe, and gallery. After the closure of that factory on Jan 30th, 2009, former employees and their families staged a sit in, hoping to prevail upon receiver their jobs. The sit in ended in March, 2009 after workers agreed to split a settlement payment of €10m.

Waterford Crystal Limited was, until March 2009, a subsidiary of Waterford Wedgwood Plc, itself formed through the acquisition of the then Waterford Glass Group by the famous pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood in 1986.

On 5 January 2009, news of the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood Ltd. was announced in Ireland and the UK. However, Waterford crystal vases are still being made in Germany and former Czechoslovakia, where the manufacture of fine crystal vases and other glassware has had a long tradition too.

Many collectors of fine Waterford crystal vases have a preference for the original Waterford crystal made in Ireland before 2009. This preference has lead to higher prices for older, original Waterford crystal vases and other Waterford crystal glassware.

Besides the Waterford crystal vases that the company became so famous for, Waterford also made, and are still making, fine stemware (beautiful wine glasses), lead crystal bowls and presentation trophies, centrepieces for tables, chandeliers, whiskey tumblers and beer glasses. It is less well-known, but Waterford crystal also produce high-quality glass picture frames and carriage clocks.

For me though, it has to be one of their beautiful, hand-cut, lead crystal, Waterford crystal vases every time.