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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Other Isle of Wight Studio Glass
A British green and blue glass globe vase. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Shamrock" range, flame pontil mark to base and labelled.
A British purple and blue glass globe vase. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Heather" range, flame pontil mark to base and labelled.
A British green, pink and clear glass lollipop vase. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, labelled.
A British brown and pink glass vase. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Gemstone Topaz" range, labelled. Designed by Timothy and Jonathan Harris in 1993.
A British golden iridescent glass bird sculpture. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, labelled.
A British clear glass bird sculpture with gold leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, labelled.
A British blue, green and clear glass bird sculpture. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, labelled.
A British black glass cylinder vase with strong iridescent finish and silvery grey trailing. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Ribbons" range, labelled. Designed by Elizabeth Harris in 1988.
A British dark blue glass cylinder vase with strong iridescent finish and swirling mirror effect. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Lace" range, labelled. Designed by Elizabeth Harris in 1988.
A British blue glass cylinder vase with silver leaf. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Victorian" range, labelled. Designed by Jonathan Harris in 1989.
A British pink and white glass "bag" vase. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Sacks & Bags" range, in the "Stripe" pattern, labelled. Designed by Elizabeth Harris in 1989.
A British white glass squat perfume bottle with coloured swirls. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Sweet Pea" range, labelled. Designed by Elizabeth & Timothy Harris, in production 1991 - 1993.
A British pink and white glass globe vase. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "New Kyoto" range, labelled. Designed by Elizabeth & Michael Harris in 1986.
A British green glass cylinder vase with gold leaf inclusions, decorated with flowers and lines. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Garden" range, "Snowdrop" colourway, labelled. Designed by Timothy Harris, in production between 2009-2011.
A British pink glass miniature vase with vertical ribbing. Made by Isle of Wight Studio, from their "Lily" range, "Cranberry" colourway. Designed by Claire Rainbow, in production between 1982-84.
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:
www.isleofwightstudioglass.co.uk - official website of Isle of Wight Studio
www.iowstudioglass.wikidot.com - excellent resource for identifying Isle of Wight Studio glassware
View more Isle of Wight Studio Glass examples in our Glass Reference Database
Buy Isle of Wight Studio Glass Products in our Online Glass Store
Isle of Wight Glass on eBay USA
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