Among glassware aficionados, the name Waterford has earned a place of eminence — both for antique crystal vases, glasses, chandeliers and serveware made by the original Irish company in the 18th and 19th centuries, and for new versions of the firm’s classic patterns produced after its rebirth in the 1940s. With either iteration, Waterford is a byword for traditional elegance.
Waterford crystal was born of a tax loophole. In 1783, business-minded brothers George and William Penrose founded the Waterford Glass House in southeastern Ireland because Irish glass was exempt from steep British import duties. The two wanted to make fine-quality wares and hired artisans from England, including master glassmaker John Hill. The factory’s flint glass — a precursor to lead crystal — soon won a clientele among British and continental aristocrats.
One of Hill’s aesthetic innovations was to polish glassware after a pattern was cut, to buff off the resulting frosted surface. The look became a Waterford trademark. Through the fame of its wine goblets, claret jugs and decanters, the firm continued to win honors at the many industrial expositions of the early Victorian era. But over those years, higher and higher luxury excise taxes were placed on fine crystal. Waterford products became prohibitively expensive, and the company closed in 1851.
The brand’s renown was still intact when it was revived in 1947 by a Czech glass manufacturer named Charles Bacik, who moved to Ireland after the Communist takeover of his country. For centuries, the region now called the Czech Republic had been the great glassware center of Middle Europe — the source of crystal to legendary Viennese glass design firms such as Lobmeyr and Bakalowits. So Bacik brought with him the master glassblower and designer Miroslav Havel.
In Dublin, Havel studied the old Waterford style book archives kept in the National Museum. He used these classic patterns as the basis for new ones such as Lismore, with its crosshatching and flame-like vertical cuts, and Alana, with its heavily textured diamond cuts. Past and present are thus linked at Waterford.
Introduced in 1991, the Marquis by Waterford range of vases, bowls and other wares were priced for everyday use and were intended for use in modern homes. It was the first new brand debuted by the company in what was then its more than two-century history.
As you will see on 1stDibs, antique or recently made, Waterford crystal is the essence of refinement.
Find Waterford crystal vases, serveware and other collectibles for sale on 1stDibs.
Vintage Waterford Set of 4 Water Glasses Ashling
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of 4 water glasses was made by Waterford in Ashling pattern, with 2 sets available at the time of the listing. Ashling pattern is described by cut fans and panels and multisided stem; the pattern was produced from 1968 to 2017. All glasses are marked on the bottom with etched Waterford logo.
Crystal
Vintage Waterford Lismore Crystal Wine Glasses, Set of 4
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The set of 4 wine glasses in Lismore pattern is in very good vintage condition. The glasses are standing xx" tall; they are signed in etching on the bottoms, and 2 glasses still hav...
Crystal
Vintage Waterford Alana Crystal Wine Glasses, Set of 4
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The set of 4 wine glasses in Alana pattern is in very good vintage condition. Alana pattern is now retired; it was manufactured from 1952 to 2022. It is characterized by cut cross hatch with multi-sided stem. The glasses are standing xx" tall; they are signed in etching on the bottoms with Waterford logo.
Crystal
Vintage Waterford Lismore Crystal Wine Claret Glasses, Set of 4
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The set of 4 wine glasses in Lismore pattern is in very good vintage condition. The glasses are standing 5, 7/8"" tall; they are signed in etching on the bottoms. The Lismore patte...
Crystal
Set of 6 Waterford Donegal Hock Wine Glasses, Vintage
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of 6 hock wine glasses was made by Waterford in Donegal pattern. Donegal is a retired cut-crystal pattern, introduced in 1954 and inspired by the Irish town of Donegal. It features distinct diamond and flat cross-cuts on traditional shapes. The pattern is reminiscent of Lismore, with its combination of perpendicular cuts extending upwards from a closely cut starburst pattern, but features additional cut elements and wedge cuts throughout. Hock wine glasses have a long stem and a small bowl, built to place the wine on the tongue to trigger certain taste buds to experience the sweetness. This type of wine glass is recommended for serving any young or sweet wine. The glasses are marked on the bottom with etched Waterford logo that was in use until 1980s. Donegal pattern was designed by Miroslav Havel (1922–2008), glass designer and craftsman, who was the main Waterford designer since 1947. In 1938-1940 he studied engraving in the glass academy at Železný Brod, and worked for a year as a cutter in a glass shop in Malá Skála before studying in the Academy of Art and Industrial Design in Prague. Intent on reviving Waterford's glassmaking tradition if an earlier Waterford glass factory (1783–1851), Havel prolonged regularly visited the National Museum in Dublin to sketch the antique Waterford glass...
Crystal
Vintage Waterford Crystal Pair Wine Glasses Ashling Pattern
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage pair of wine glasses was made by Waterford in Ashling pattern. Ashling pattern is described by cut fans and panels and multisided stem; the pattern was produced from 1968 to ...
Crystal
Six Waterford Water Glasses Or Wine Glasses, Pristine Condition.
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Buchanan, MI
Set Of Six Waterford Crystal Water Goblets Or Wine Glasses. Other Pieces available from the same estate.
Crystal
Vintage Cristal D'Argues-Durand Crystal Goblets - Set of 6
Located in Phoenix, AZ
A set of 6 Cristal D'Argus - Durant crystal goblets. Each glass is 8.5" high and 3" wide at the opening. Excellent condition.
Crystal
Set of 3 Vintage Bohemian Cut Crystal Glasses, 1980s
Located in PARIS, FR
This elegant set of three vintage Bohemian cut crystal glasses, dating from the 1980s, showcases exceptional craftsmanship and timeless beauty. Each glass features a finely cut des...
Glass
Set of 6 Crystal Wine or Water Glasses (9.5 fl_oz) - hand crafted
Located in Opole, PL
Set of 6 Crystal Glasses (9.5 fl_oz) The presented collection is elegant and quite simple in form, which makes it wonderfully compatible with both traditional and modern cuts. It co...
Crystal
Vintage Set of 6 + 1 Rosslare Water Glasses by Waterford
By Waterford Crystal
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Set of 6 + 1 Water Glasses, Rosslare by Waterford. Produced 1968-2017. Very good estate condition. 6.75" x 3.5" dia. We are a family business that has been a major source fo...
Glass
Antique Crystal Cut Glass Goblets; set /4
Located in Malibu, CA
Gorgeous hand cut crystal wine stemware in pristine condition. Set /4
Crystal
