Glasses

Glass collection by Sasha Ward

Enamelled glass vessels in the V&A: by Karel Vanura 1959, Francois Eugene Rousseau 1878, Ludwig Sutterlin 1904.

Enamelled glass vessels in the V&A: by Karel Vanura 1959, Francois Eugene Rousseau 1878, Ludwig Sutterlin 1904.

Where could I go for tips on painted glass vessels but the glass gallery at the V&A ? I liked the flower goblets for the shape of the painting, the fish vase for the fine detail, and everything about the vessel on the left by the Czech artist Karel Vanura.

At home I have my own glass gallery, including a set of beakers, below right. From the sets I find in charity shops I keep one on the shelf and use the others - I prefer the feel of the small thin ones in my hand. I'm just at the stage of experimenting with enamels on old jars, bottles and beakers for a range of glassware that will use my Kelmscott shapes with inspiration from Karel Vanura.

Some of the first tests and part of my collection of beakers.

Some of the first tests and part of my collection of beakers.