Glass industry sparkles as historic project gathers pace (From Stourbridge News)

Glass industry sparkles as historic project gathers pace

9:00am Thursday 19th January 2012 in News By Bev Holder

AN ambitious project to recreate the most famous cameo glass in history was gathering pace in Stourbridge this week.

Glassmakers at The Ruskin Glass Centre in Amblecote have embarked upon an historic project to create a 21st century replica of the ancient Portland Vase, which is housed in the British Museum and dates back to AD 5 to 25.

A blank was created on September 24 by glassmaker Richard Golding and is now ready to be carved by engraver Terri Colledge who will become the first female engraver ever to try her hand at replicating the priceless vase, believed to be from Rome.

In the meantime - talented Terri, a 52-year-old enamel painter turned engraver from Coseley, has created a copy of another important piece of Roman cameo glass - The Auldjo Jug.

Also housed in the British Museum, the piece is believed to have been crafted in Rome between 25 to 50 BC.

Glassmaker Ian Dury, project co-ordinator, said: “When Terri and I went to the British Museum we told Dr Paul Roberts if we had time we’d have a go at this one too as it’s older than The Portland Vase.

“It turned out that we did have time and we’ve been working on it since November.

“It’s amazing, it’s our favourite piece.”

Terri, who turned her hand to engraving ten years ago, said: “It’s great to be involved in this project and for people to know there are still skills about in the glass industry.”

As well as the Auldjo Jug and Portland Vase, glassmakers have also made an amphora style version of the Portland piece which experts believe was the vessel’s original shape before it was damaged in antiquity.

They also plan to make a cameo base to emulate a disc depicting Priam which was attached to the bottom of the vase from 1826 but which did not belong to it originally.

Stourbridge auctioneer Will Farmer, a regular on the Antiques Roadshow, stopped off to see the Auldjo Jug replica as it was nearing completion yesterday (Wednesday) but he would not be drawn on how much it and the other pieces could be worth.

He said: “You only ever know the value of something when you sell it. All these pieces are so iconic; they are so important to the history of glass.

“The value is what someone’s prepared to pay for a slice of history.”

All of the pieces will be displayed at this year’s International Festival of Glass in August before a permanent home is found in the Glass Quarter.

Leigh White, Ruskin Glass Centre manager, said: “It will be one of the most poignant displays of modern day skill and talent to come out of Stourbridge’s internationally renowned Glass Quarter in many years.

“What makes the project even more significant is it will be in celebration of 400 years of glassmaking in Stourbridge.”

The last time a complete replica of The Portland Vase was created in Stourbridge was 1874.

Phillip Pargeter, owner of Wordsley’s Red House Glass Works, produced the blank and the intricate design was carved by John Northwood whose great grandson witnessed the launch of the latest project.

Glass fans wishing to see history in the making can see Terri at work on the project every Wednesday between 10am and 4pm at Ruskin Glass Centre, Wollaston Road, Amblecote.