Rochdale Antiques Society

Charles Hajdamach who was a former curator and Director of the Broadfield House Glass Museum near Stourbridge which is renowned for antique glass

The January speaker at the Rochdale Antiques Society meeting was Charles Hajdamach, who was a former curator and director of the Broadfield House Glass Museum near Stourbridge, which is renowned for antique glass.

Charles Hajdamach lectures internationally on antique glass production and producers and is the author of British Glass 1800 – 1914 and 20th century British Glass.

In his talk specifically on Venetian glass he explained that Venice has been producing exceptional glassware since the 1300s. They used soda glass which enabled them to make very fine glass with no imperfections. They developed lace or filigree glass, using white canes which went through the glass (think Blackpool rock), and copied the Roman millefiori glass. Enamellers were brought from Syria to add colourful designs to it.

Venetian glassware was of such high quality and design that in 1584 Elizabeth I brought a Venetian to England to produce glass and train English glass makers.

In 1675 the Worshipful Company of Glass Makers was founded in London using the same production methods as the Venetians with soda glass, but they gradually added lead to produce the renowned and highly-regarded English crystal.

On Wednesday 12 March at 7.30pm the Society has a special talk by Lars Tharp (of Antiques Roadshow fame) on Harlots, Rakes & Crashing China – an accidental introduction to 18 century ceramics and William Hogarth. Tickets only for this event available by telephoning Secretary, Anne Lord, on 01706 849203, price £7.50.

A Society spokesperson said: "Past experience suggests this will be a hilarious and informative evening." 

Rochdale Antiques Society programme of meetings

Rochdale Antiques Society meets the second Wednesday of the month from September to May at St Vincent’s Community Hall, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road, Norden at 7.30pm. There is a speaker at each meeting, who are all of the highest quality and experts in their field. Membership is £25 per season and guests can attend with a fee of £4 per visit (maximum two visits).