The Gallery has superb collections and will be featuring 'Art Treasures in Manchester:150 years on' (from 6 Oct - 27 Jan 2008), to mark the 150th anniversary of Art Treasures of the United Kingdom - the largest ever art exhibition in the UK held in Manchester in 1857, including works by Gainsborough, Turner, Stubbs, Constable and the Pre-Raphaelites, as well as old masters including Bellini, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. It will also feature some beautiful Venetian and northern European historic glass from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Tabley House.

The glass collection at Manchester consists of 1,249 items. The main strength of the collection at Manchester Art Gallery, both numerically and in terms of historic importance, is the 18th century English wine glasses, represented by the Tylecote and Lloyd Roberts bequests, plus some recent additions  from the collection of John and Evelyn Barbirolli, bequeathed by Lady Barbirolli.

There are also 229 pieces of James Powell and Whitefriars glass.  Due to limited space, only highlights of these collections are displayed, but catalogue records for all glass collection items are available on the museum Website and photographs of items are gradually being added to these records.

Other highlights of the glass collection include:

• an early 18th century goblet wheel engraved with an image of Bacchus, by an unknown maker (1920.803)
• a William and Mary Beilby goblet (1958.987)
• a Jacobite wine glass with a portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie  (1920.905)

Turning to 20th century Continental glass, Swedish glass is represented by designs by Paul Kedelv, Ann Warff, Bertil Vallien and Nils Landberg, and glass from Finland by Oiva Toikka, Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.  

Most of the glass is displayed in the thematic displays in the Gallery of Craft & Design, and there are also examples of Murano glass (makers not known, unfortunately) in our 20th century art galleries.

The Manchester Gallery also features a small collection of Victorian moulded glass made in Manchester and Salford, including some nice pieces by Percival Vickers.

The Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL 

Open Tues - Sun 10 – 5.

www.manchestergalleries.org

Tel: 0161 235 8888

Manchester Metropolitan University, All Saints Building, All Saints, Manchester, M15 6BH

Access is by appointment, Monday to Friday 10–4. The staff is happy to offer our delegates short tours of their Special Collections (either all, or just the glass). 

The foundation of the collection lies in the Schools Arts and Crafts Museum in 1898. The most significant part of the collection includes ceramics, glass, metalwork, jewellery, textiles and wallpapers, representing the work of important theorists and makers, such as Walter Crane (Director of Design at the School from 1893 to 1898), William de Morgan and Ford Madox Brown.

Glass - The historic collections include fine examples of Arts and Crafts glass, including a significant group from the Whitefriars Glass Co., Tiffany, Loetz, Koloman Moser as well as examples from Salviati and the Rheinische Glashutten. More recent acquisitions include work by Lalique and Barnaby Powell, and modern pieces by Bertil Vallien, Bob Crooks, Amanda Notarianni, Wilkin & Wooodman, and Per B. Sundberg (for Orrefors) amongst others. Related items include stained glass panels and cartoons by Walter Pearce and Mabel Esplin, and glass bead jewellery by May Morris. Research resources include important and rare texts on glass and glass making from the Book Design Collection and a range of trade catalogues.

www.specialcollections.mmu.ac.uk/?page_id=15

Tel: +44 (0)161 247 6610

Of particular note is the beautiful wooden roof, the Anglo-Saxon Angel Stone and the stained glass Fire Window, which evocatively bleeds flame-coloured light into the Regimental chapel. Indeed some people feel that the post WWII stained glass from Tony Holloway and Margeret Traherne represents the best of the new decoration in the Cathedral. The hi-tech, interactive displays in the exhibition area offer and insight into mediaeval Manchester, the Cathedral and local history.

Set All Free is an exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of the abolition of the British slave trade which will be in the Cathedral until the end of October.

Manchester Cathedral, Cathedral Yard, M3 1SX  

Open 8-7 Mon to Fri; 8-5 Sat; 8.30-7.30 Sun.

www.manchestercathedralonline.co.uk

Tel: 0161 835 4030

Located in the premises of the 1874 former Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, this is a listed building of historical importance. It is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, executed in Moorish style. Particularly noteworthy are the splendid stained glass windows and the distinctive cast-iron fitments.

The museum actively endeavours to collect material illustrating Jewish life in Manchester past and present. Pride of place is shared by the flamboyant Ark and the magnificent circular window above it.
The downstairs synagogue has been fully restored to its original splendour with lavish Moorish décor and fine stained glass. Upstairs is a permanent exhibition of Manchester's Jewish history.

Mon to Thurs 10.30 - 4.00; Fri by appointment only; Sat closed;
Sun 10.30 - 5.00

190 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8LW

www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com

The Manchester area offers much for the visitor, including The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North, the Museum of Science and Industry and The Manchester Museum.

www.manchester.gov.uk/visitorcentre

For more information:

Write to: Town Hall Extension, Lloyd Street, Manchester, M60 2LA

Telephone 0 871 222 8223, Mon to Fri, 10 - 5.15 (recorded information at other times).

Or visit: www.visitmanchester.com

Home of Europe's largest public collection of Tiffany Glass - over 140 pieces of hand-made glass - 'Favrile' vases, tiles and mosaics from the New York Studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1843 – 1933), as well as other items of glassware from the modern era.

There is also a collection of watercolours and oil paintings, and the gallery features regular monthly special exhibitions of works by national as well as local artists and crafts people. The building is a beautiful example of Edwardian "Tudor" architectural style, set in its own extensive grounds which are suitable for picnicking.

Haworth Park, Manchester Road, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 2JS

Wed to Fri: 2-5, Sat to Sun: 12-4.30; Bank holidays: 2-5.

www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/roundabout/opencms/
leisure_and_culture/leisure/HAG.html

Tel: 01254-233782

Live glassblowing and over 30 stunning displays and shows including - Glass Revolution Special Effects Show, Glass Roots Interactive Galleries, Earth Into Light, The Victorian Tunnels and the Mirror Maze.

Chalon Way East, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1BX

Tues to Sun, 10 to 5; last admission at 3.

www.worldofglass.com

Tel: 08700 114466

The birthplace of author Lewis Carroll, whose father was the curate of the church; the family lived some 2 miles away in a small house. See the fine stained glass window devoted to Lewis Carroll's work.

Daresbury Lane, Daresbury, Halton, Merseyside, WA4 4AE

www.daresburycofe.org.uk

Tel: 01925 740198

Lots to see and do including Museum Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Beatles Story.

Tel: 0151 233 2008

www.visitliverpool.com

For Stained Glass:

Liverpool Cathedral

6 Cathedral Close, St James Mount, L1 7AZ

www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

Tel: 01298 812 070.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Mount Pleasant, L3 5TQ

Email: met.cathedral@metcathedral.org.uk

Tel:0151 709 9222 or 0151 708 7274

Christ Church

This Church is late Victorian and is located in the unique, picturesque village of Port Sunlight and was a gift of W H Lever. There is interesting stained glass of 1914 and 1950 and monuments to the Leverhulme family contained within the Church. Christ Church celebrated its centenary year in 2004.

Nearby is the wonderful Lady Lever Art Gallery

Christ Church, Church Drive, Port Sunlight Village, Wirral, Merseyside, CH62 5EF

www.ccpsurc.info

An amazing museum with several wonderful collections including costumes (historical and contemporary dress and items linked to Preston Guilds and local textile companies) and fine art, containing paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints, sculpture and books from the 12th century to the present day.

The excellent glass collection has about 750 items, almost exclusively British in origin. The collection is dominated by two large personal collections which can be seen in the Glass Gallery. The first is the Dr Taylor Collection, a significant selection of 18th and 19th century drinking glasses which include engraved examples and a variety of ornate stems. The second is the vibrant Mrs Seddon Collection of English Coloured Glass, which is mostly Victorian and includes tableware such as bowls, jugs and glasses.

There is also a selection of commemorative glass, which includes Jacobite drinking glasses, and a charming display of ‘friggers’ (novelty items including miniature ships). The intriguing collection of green glass ‘dumps’ or door stops on show is part of the Mrs French Collection and a selection from her famous and huge scent bottle collection can be seen on the second floor. The museum also has a beautiful stained-glass window by Henry Holiday in the Story of Preston gallery.

Market Square, Preston, PR1 2PP, Lancashire

Mon to Sat: 10- 5, except Tuesday 11- 5; closed Sun and Bank Holidays

www.harrismuseum.org.uk

Tel: 01772 25824

The Turner Museum of Glass is one of the UK's most interesting and comprehensive collections of nineteenth and twentieth century glass.
From drinking glasses to contemporary installations the Museum celebrates the skill and artistry of glassmakers. Pieces by all the major European and American glassmakers are on display and the collection is unrivalled in its display of work from the 1920s to the 1950s.

The Museum was founded in 1943 by Professor W.E.S. Turner. Also responsible for founding the academic discipline of glass technology, Turner was a keen and imaginative collector. He wanted the Museum to act as an inspiration for all those working with glass by showing beautiful objects alongside technical innovation.

In the Department of Engineering Materials, The University of Sheffield, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD.

Open to public Mon to Fri, 10 - 4  (advisable to check in advance)

For further information contact the Departmental Superintendent:

Email: j.w.smedley@sheffield.ac.uk

www.turnermuseum.group.shef.ac.uk

Tel: 0151 339 080

The dynamic Cohesion glass group presents work by Stephen Beardsell, Criss Chaney, Catherine Forsyth, Zoë Garner, Rachel Gretton, Jessamy Kelly, Tord Kjellstrom, Ruth Lyne, Brett Manley, Joanne Mitchell, Sue Parry, Karinna Sellars & Dean Hopkins, Roger Tye & Kathryn Wightman.

43 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AW.

From 8 Sep to 31 Oct, Mon to Fri: 10-5, Sat 10-5.30,
Most Suns 11-4.30

www.pyramidgallery.com

Tel: 01904 641 187.

Fabulous setting, fabulous building – French chateau and fabulous collections.

29 Sep 2007 - 20 Jan 2008

The Bowes Museum’s collections include one of the first known commission from Emile Gallé, a glass cabaret set comprising beakers and stands, carafes for orange blossoms and water, a sugar basin and cover and tray, commissioned by Joséphine Bowes following her meeting with Gallé at the International Exhibition held in London in 1871. 

This commission from Gallé will form the starting point for the exhibition.  The Museum’s archive holds correspondence between Gallé and Joséphine Bowes, in which he describes the cabaret set.  The influence of nature on his work is evident from Gallé’s description of the pieces.  These early pieces are exceptional.  They demonstrate Gallé’s early fascination with nature, a subject that was to come to dominate his work.  Gallé became a leading figure in the naturalist movement associated with Art Nouveau.  

The exhibition will explore Art Nouveau’s main themes and inspirations – the natural world, women, and Japanese art and design.   The focus will be on French Art Nouveau, although works from other European countries will be included.  The exhibition will be organized along thematic lines that explore the techniques, symbols and messages of the Art Nouveau style.  

The introductory section will give an overview of the Art Nouveau style, its influences and main characteristics.  A section devoted to Emile Gallé will highlight Joséphine Bowes’ own commissions and correspondence, and Gallé’s development as a decorative artist.  A section on Japan and Japonisme will explore the fashion for all things Japanese that pervaded French art and design in the second half of the nineteenth century. The Paris International Exhibition of 1867 brought an influx of Japanese imports.   A section on the natural world will explore the importance of nature as a major inspiration on the development of the Art Nouveau style, followed by a section on the importance of the female form. Works by Gallé, Majorelle, Mucha and Lalique will be exhibited. 

Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP

Open Daily (Except 25 & 26 Dec, 1 Jan): 10-5; 10-4 (Nov 1 to March 1)

www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Tel: 01833 690606

Exhibitions, glass blowing every day, a shop crammed with contemporary British glass and superb restaurant beside the River Wear.

Tel: 0191 515 5555.

www.nationalglasscentre.com