Friday, February 26, 2016

Waterford Crystal | An Irish Tradition

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Waterford is the leading provider of luxury home and lifestyle products sold worldwide. From crystal stemware, to fine bone china dinnerware, to luxurious home accessories, collectibles and gifts, Waterford offers thousands of products relevant to the lifestyles of today's prestigious consumers.

Waterford is the most popular premium crystal brand in the world; incorporating classic and contemporary stemware, giftware, lighting, and seasonal products. Features designer collaborations by Monique Lhuillier, Jim O'Leary, John Rocha, and Jeff Leatham.

Known the world over for spectacular pieces and innovation in designer crystal. To hold Waterford crystal is to hold a world class masterpiece.


TOP PRODUCT CATEGORIES
  • Wedding & Anniversary Gifts
  • Personalized/ Engraved Gifts
  • Dinnerware, Stemware and Flatware
  • Crystal Chandeliers & Lamps
  • Gifts & Collectibles
  • Home Accessories & Home Decor
  • Sports Collectibles
History

The organization of Waterford was initially established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants' Quay in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford, just minutes from the present day Home of Waterford Crystal. Its founders were brothers, William and George Penrose, significant developers and principal exporters in the city. Their vision was to "develop the finest top quality crystal for drinking vessels and objects of beauty for the home." Far more than two hundred years later, the reputation they established for producing glass of unsurpassed beauty and top quality has transcended the intervening centuries.

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The Penrose brothers opened the first glassmaking factory in Waterford in 1783, where their crystal was quickly recognized for its clarity and purity of colour. They enjoyed accomplishment well into the 1800’s. But then, tragically after 70 years of operating, the Penrose brothers' glass creating factory fell victim to a turn of events that echo today’s business woes -- in 1853, the business fell victim to a lack of capitalization, and was sadly forced to close.

After a period of dormancy, the Waterford story resumes in 1947, when glassmaker Kael Bacik hired fellow Czech Miroslav Havel as Chief Designer for his fledgling glassmaking operation in Ireland. Havel spent many hours at the National Museum of Ireland studying surviving examples of the Penrose brothers’ crystal from the 18th and 19th centuries. The conventional cutting patterns made famous by the artisans of Waterford became the style basis for the expanding item range of the new company, and it is from these styles in 1952 that Havel designed the now iconic Lismore , which remains the world’s most popular crystal pattern.

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Waterford Crystal today maintains quite sturdy connections with its illustrious predecessors. There is the exact same dedication to purity of colour, design inspiration and highest high quality levels: core values carried over and maintained from the company’s earliest beginnings.

Considering its humble beginnings, Waterford has exponentially expanded its offerings beyond classic stemware to embrace and fulfill the luxury lifestyle. Nowadays, Waterford brand merchandise contains: Stemware and Barware , Fine China & Flatware , Vases , Bowls & Centerpieces , Collectibles , Lighting , Chandeliers , Wedding and Anniversary Gifts , Paperweights , and Holiday Ornaments and Gifts.

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Waterford has also formed collaborations and partnerships with major designers in the globe of fashion and luxury living to produce a exceptional range of dining and house décor originals. These inventive pairings with Waterford incorporate the designs of Monique Lhuillier , John Rocha , Jo Sampson , Jeff Leatham , Billy Canning, Jasper Conran and Robert Mondavi.

Waterford’s personal House of Waterford Crystal Style Studio , in the heart of Waterford City, Ireland, is the place where the magnificent Waterford trophies, sculptures and presentation pieces are born. Under the guidance of Chief Designer John Connolly and the legacy of the late Jim O'Leary , a group of in-property imagineers craft such crystal marvels as the PGA Tour of America trophy, the People’s Choice Award, and the intricate panels of the Waterford Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball.

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Most recently, Waterford launched Waterford Interiors , a premier house decor portfolio, which involves the performance of internationally acclaimed designers Jo Sampson , John Rocha , and Billy Canning in an in depth range of innovative pieces from sleek console tables and dramatic floor mirrors to bespoke chandeliers and lighting developed for glamorous living.

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Waterford business gifts convey long-lasting appreciation -- helping to build stronger business relationships with your customers, partners and employees. Show your sense of style with an unforgettable corporate gift from Waterford.

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Perfect for All Occasions
  • Retirement & Tenure Gifts
  • Executive Awards
  • Employee Appreciation Gifts
  • Company Events & Contests
  • Shareholder Meeting Gifts
  • Sales Meeting Gifts
  • Sales Achievement Gifts
  • Golf Tournament Awards
  • Client and Customer Gifts
  • Military Awards
  • Trade Show Gifts