Isle of Wight Studio Glass Identification Guide + Gallery
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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.
Sources: 20th Century Factory Glass by Lesley Jackson.
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Minimals & Maximals
A British black glass bird sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Minimals & Maximals" range, with the "Azurene Black" pattern, labelled.
A British black glass pig sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Minimals & Maximals" range, with the "Azurene Gold" pattern, labelled.
A British black glass bear sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Minimals & Maximals" range, with the "Azurene Gold" pattern.
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Reference Websites
For more information on Isle of Wight Studio glass, check out the following resources:
www.isleofwightstudioglass.co.uk - official website of Isle of Wight Studio
www.iowstudioglass.wikidot.com - excellent resource for identifying Isle of Wight Studio glassware