Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. > British & Irish Glass
Crystal & Oil Illuminations / J Defries & Pains Fireworks
flying free:
Information here about Weston's Music Hall opened in 1857. There is a long description of it here along with mention of the Chandeliers supplied by Defries:
Part quote
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/westons.htm
'...The hall is lighted with five magnificent glass chandeliers, furnished by Messrs. Defries, the well known firm of Houndsditch. The central one weighs nearly one ton, and is eleven feet in diameter. Messrs. Patrick and Sons, of Westminster Road, were the general contractors for the work, which, we are bound to say, has been brought to so successful a termination.'
If Defries weren't using chandelier parts made by their own company, it might also be possible they perhaps used parts from Pellatt's? Another line of investigation perhaps? Pellatt's Falcon Glassworks were based in a similar area south of the now Tate I think or around that area.
I'm interested because it's fascinating glass of course, but also because I recently discovered my great grandfather and grandfather were Deptford born. Great Great Grandfather worked in Southwark and my great grandfather would have been around there as a kid when these light displays were being used :)
flying free:
1)
Letter in Sydney archives dated 10th May 1893 from J. Defries & Sons requesting offering their services for decorations for the approaching marriage of H.R.H The Duke of York, heir presumptive.
Letter states that they had been honoured 'with the chief contracts in England and the Colonies on occasion of this kind from the coronation of Her Majesty, the Empress Queen, up to the Jubilee of 1887 and the present time'.
https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/1562253
Author refers to their 'system of Cut Crystal Illumination and general Decorative work'
It also says ' we have been for many years sole contractors to the British Government for all this class of work'.
2) In addition:
An advertisement from 1874 stating they supply ' crystal illuminations to any device, sign or drawing'
https://books.google.co.uk/books/content?id=ToEGR1KxbssC&pg=PP6&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U1UQUzRhewr3WNvVfZLwg1uyA-T7g&w=1025
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_London_and_Suburban_Licensed_Victual/ToEGR1KxbssC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J+Defries+%26+sons+cut+crystal+illuminations&pg=PP6&printsec=frontcover
3) Another advertisement from 1876 stating that they'd made displays in India, Sri Lanka, Gibraltar etc and that they were enlarging the display department:
https://books.google.co.uk/books/content?id=_ahHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA8&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U2yJgUFZacwGLJOjce-I5xhjXXp3w&w=1025
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Belgravia/_ahHAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J+Defries+%26+sons+cut+crystal+illuminations&pg=PA8&printsec=frontcover
4) Mention here from 1867 of a 'patent lamp for mineral oil'
https://books.google.co.uk/books/content?id=n0lYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA114&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U1CzBO3P5Q0HCJh4dVTeUKxLIc1eg&w=1025
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Bradshaw_s_Hand_Book_to_the_Paris_Intern/n0lYAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J+Defries+%26+sons+cut+crystal+illuminations&pg=PA114&printsec=frontcover
5) Page 43 here from 1878 Kelly's handbook
- crystal illuminations for 'mansions, castles, buildings of every description ...' and stating ' By Appointment to HM The Queen'
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Kelly_s_Handbook_to_the_Upper_Ten_Thousa/dtuKniCyBuAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=J+Defries+%26+sons+cut+crystal+illuminations&pg=RA1-PA43&printsec=frontcover
https://books.google.co.uk/books/content?id=dtuKniCyBuAC&pg=RA1-PA43&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U2N0Cu7dry2-uZM8b1z4hVrkiCVYg&w=1025
flying free:
Finally ...
Here on page 54 of The Architect 1874 a full description of what J. Defries supplied for St Petersburg - which appears to be the decoration of crystal illuminations of many buildings!!
(see bottom of left hand column titles Illuminations St Petersburg)
https://books.google.co.uk/books/content?id=QKAaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA54&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&bul=1&sig=ACfU3U01aI7XAj7PepCrxn1JHS0m-i2oLg&w=1025
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Architect/QKAaAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=j.+Defries+%26+sons+crystal+illuminations&pg=PA54&printsec=frontcover
flying free:
Is this information about Wells Fireworks, the same company as per the 'buttoned' badge you showed?
https://www.wellsfireworks.co.uk/history
flying free:
According to this contemporary report, the fireworks were by D'Ernst (the ones in Green Park seen from Buck House) and Southby (in Hyde Park) for the Queen Victoria coronation:
Source: A Diary of Royal Movements
See page 104 (as typed on the left of the page in this link)
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_diary_of_royal_movements_and_of_person/-oUBAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=queen+victoria+coronation+fireworks+green+park&pg=PA104&printsec=frontcover
They cost £1,492. 8. 3
D'Ernst was maker to the King - see advertisement here from 1827
https://boroughphotos.org/lambeth/dernst-fireworks-advertisement-vauxhall-gardens/
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