Michael Harris founded his second glassworks, Isle of Wight Glass Studio in 1972, at Old Park, St Lawrence, Isle of Wight in England, after leaving his first glassworks, Mdina Glass, in Malta. During the 1970's, some designs developed at Mdina Glass were also produced at Isle of Wight Studio, including the brown & gold pattern "Tortoiseshell", and a blue & green colourway named "Seaward". Many more designs and patterns were created at Isle of Wight Studio, including "Aurene", which featured speckled effects and iridescent streaks, and "Azurene", coloured glass fused with gold and silver leaf. Several popular iridescent ranges have also been produced, including "Golden Peacock" and "Summer Fruits". In the 1980's, Michael's wife Elizabeth Harris began working as a designer at the factory, and the couple were soon joined by their two sons, Timothy Harris (glassmaker) and Jonathan Harris (designer). After Michael died in 1994, the factory was run by Elizabeth and Timothy, until going into liquidation in 2012. At this point, Michael's younger brother Richard Harris aquired most of the assets, and in 2013, together with Timothy, set up a new company, Isle of Wight Studio Glass (2013) Ltd, shortly after they aquired the original name Isle of Wight Studio Glass Ltd. The factory was moved to a new location on the Isle of Wight, the Arreton Barnes Craft Village, where production resumed in 2014 and still continues.
A British green glass cylinder vase with gold leaf and blue swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British pink glass cylinder vase with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass cylinder vase with gold leaf and blue swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass cylinder vase with gold leaf and purple swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass cylinder vase with gold leaf and white swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass goblet vase with gold leaf and purple swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass goblet vase with gold leaf and white swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass posy vase or bowl with gold leaf and purple swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British pink glass flattened vase with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass globe vase with gold leaf and blue swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass squat vase with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British white glass bird sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1982.
A British blue glass bird sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock Royale" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1987.
A British blue glass bird sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Golden Peacock Royale" range, labelled. Designed by Michael Harris in 1987.
Reference Books
Michael Harris: Mdina Glass and Isle of Wight Studio Glass
20th Century British Glass
Reference Websites
For more information on Isle of Wight Studio glass, check out the following resources: