Crystal glass was invented by an Englishman, George Ravenscroft in 1674, when he added a quantity of lead oxide to quartz. Since then, crystal glass products, with their sheen and beauty, have been equated with silver utensils as a symbol of elegance and nobility.
A pioneer in developing the crystal glass industry in Taiwan is the United Glass Industrial Development Inc. The company's manager, C. M. Lee, said that the ample resources of quartz and cheap natural gas in Taiwan provided ideal conditions to promote the industry. He therefore invested NT$25 million (US$700,000) in 1969 to establish a factory in Chungli covering an area of 6,000 pings (216,000 square feet).
Lee pointed out that since exquisite crystal glass has to be transparent, pure and clean, it must be free from blemishes, marks or bubbles. Workers must be skilled and well-versed in techniques, as well as having artistic ability, to create an inspired and beautiful piece. To ensure such high skills among his employees, Lee sends them regularly overseas to learn foreign techniques, and invites experts from West Germany and Japan to come to Taiwan to give instruction to new employees at his factory. According to their ability and interests, the workers are divided into three groups to cover casting, and manufacture of animals and drinking utensils. Because of Lee's strict standards, the company's products have gained a good reputation in the United States. Currently exports account for about 70 percent of United's sales, mainly going to the U.S., followed by Australia, West Germany, New Zealand, Japan and countries in Southeast Asia.
At the company's exhibition center in Taiwan, a wide variety of crystal glass objects is on display. Outstanding among them is a flower basket reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
The most popular crystal glass items at present are those with a Chinese flavor, in particular a crystal flower vase with bamboo, painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua. Other favorites are those based on paintings of pine, flowers, landscapes, insects and birds. Claiming that crystal glass rivals diamonds for beauty, Lee said it is ideal for home decoration. Based on the success of United glass, the crystal glass industry would appear to have a bright future in Taiwan.
[Picture Caption]
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase (below) with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket (below right) reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Workers must be skilled in fashioning, carving and blowing techniques, and have artistic ability, to create inspired, transparent and pure pieces.
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase （below） with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket （below right） reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase （below） with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket （below right） reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase （below） with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket （below right） reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase （below） with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket （below right） reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase （below） with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket （below right） reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Outstanding among a wide variety of crystal glass objects is a vase （below） with bamboo painted by famous Chinese artist Ma Shou-hua and a flower basket （below right） reproduced from a slightly damaged original owned by Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Workers must be skilled in fashioning, carving and blowing techniques, and have artistic ability, to create inspired, transparent and pure pieces.
Workers must be skilled in fashioning, carving and blowing techniques, and have artistic ability, to create inspired, transparent and pure pieces.
Workers must be skilled in fashioning, carving and blowing techniques, and have artistic ability, to create inspired, transparent and pure pieces.
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