A Brief History of Quaker Produced Waterford Crystal: From Ireland to New Year’s Eve to Your China Cabinet
Waterford crystal is almost as famous for the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, as it is for divine crystal home décor and glassware items. The magic of the famous ball of crystal and electric lights rising to great heights atop a pole on the One Times Square building is known worldwide. More famous than the ascension in the square is the descending, marking the coming of the New Year. While most mortals cannot afford to have such a large piece of lead crystal crafted for their home, Waterford can grace your Amish built china cabinets in some form or another.
Glass making in Ireland may have existed in Ireland as far back as the middle of the 13th century. Waterford Crystal, however, began in 1783; a creation of two brothers, George and William Penrose. The Penroses began manufacturing crystal in one of Ireland’s busiest ports, Waterford. The brothers became very important developers while also becoming the city’s principal exporters.
An interesting and influencing fact about the Penrose brothers and a prominent employee, John Hill, was that they were Quakers. In the early 1700’s Quakers began settling in Ireland’s Waterford community. Because of the values and high work ethics of this religious sect the Quakers emerged as important entrepreneurs and industrialists. Just like the Amish, the Quakers became trusted, both locally and internationally, for their honesty and integrity.
The Penrose bothers and Hill were known for producing crystal with a purity of color unseen in the world before then. Waterford was shipped worldwide to ports in Spain, the West Indies, New York, New England and Newfoundland. As successful as the lead crystal business was, the lack of capital and excessive taxation caused the business to fail within a century, leaving behind an unparalleled reputation that has lasted until today. Another century came and went and the company was resurrected in 1947. Still recovering from the ravages of WWII, a small glass factory was once again opened for business in Waterford.
Like the Amish descendants hold on to the same dedication to the purity of workmanship of their ancestors, the new owners of Waterford Crystal hold to the traditions of the same design inspirations and highest quality levels of crystal production possible. The product line has grown to include crystal products along with Waterford China, Waterford Table & Bed Linens, Waterford Stainless Flatware and Silver Gifts, Waterford Writing Instruments, Waterford Holiday Heirlooms, lighting fixtures and Waterford Crystal Jewelry.
Amish designed and built solid wood furniture and Waterford Crystal has become synonym for the finest quality furniture and crystal sought after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. Like each piece of furniture, each piece of Waterford can easily be recognized by the signature. While the Amish signature is more a signature of quality, the crystal pieces are actually signed on the base with the word “Waterford”. Any Quaker inspired Waterford heirloom piece would be an added asset to your Amish tables or buffets.
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