Whitefriars glass
In 1720, a glasshouse was established on part of the site of the former medieval 'White Friars' monastery, situated south of Fleet Street. The Museum has several glass items that were possibly made there in the 18th century. However, the collection mainly contains glass produced after 1834 when the firm of James Powell & Sons (popularly known as 'Whitefriars Glass') was founded. The 'Whitefriars' trade name was added only in 1919, four years before the firm relocated from the City to a new site at Wealdstone, Harrow.
The most enduring and successful glasshouse in Britain, Whitefriars made stained glass, table and ornamental glass, and scientific glass. It had a reputation for innovative design and retained an identity distinct from that of other British glass making centres.
When the company closed in 1980, the Museum acquired its archive of business papers, photographs, designs and pictures; some manufacturing tools and equipment; the contents of the glassworks' museum; and examples of the factory's final products.
Featured types
| Glass possibly made at Whitefriars before Powell (1720 - 1834) |
| Early glass made by James Powell & Sons (1834 - 1870) |
| Glass made during the management of Harry Powell (1870 - 1920) |
| Glass made at Wealdstone: inter-War and wartime (1923 - 1945) |
| Glass made at Wealdstone: post-War (1946 - 1980) |
Related objects
There are 79 related objects.80.547/652 waste.  | 57.51/88 drinking glass; champagne glass.  | 80.547/667 vase.  | A25544 vase; goblet vase.  |
24985 candlestick.  | 80.547/632 vase; goblet vase.  | 80.547/629 ashtray.  | 80.547/628 drinking glass; goblet.  |
80.547/627 drinking glass; tankard.  | 80.547/603 bowl.  | 80.547/569 candlestick.  | 80.547/566 candlestick.  |
80.547/564 candlestick.  | 80.547/513 vase.  | 80.547/383 decanter; bottle.  | A25543 vase.  |
80.547/34b decanter; decanter stopper.  | 80.547/404b stopper.  | 80.547/640 vase.  | 80.547/410a decanter.  |
80.547/359 drinking glass; goblet.  | 80.547/358 drinking glass; goblet.  | 80.547/661 bowl.  | 80.547/651 drinking glass; goblet.  |