Honouring over 50 years of glassmaking heritage, Dartington Crystal will reintroduce some of its most beloved classics exclusively for 2024. The Heirloom Collection comprises iconic, artful homewares and signature drinkware, paying homage to the original designs of Frank Thrower, the creative force that shaped Dartington Crystal’s signature style from its inception in 1967 until his passing in 1985.
One of the four Heirloom collections launching this year, Daisy was originally designed by Frank Thrower in 1974. A centrifuge was introduced to Dartington Crystal’s North Devon factory floor in 1975 – a mesmerising process in which glassmakers expertly spin molten crystal – to produce Frank’s signature daisy design. This innovative technique was synonymous with Scandinavian design and honoured both Dartington’s Swedish roots and Frank Thrower’s signature Scandi-inspired style.
The centrifuge technique played a crucial role in producing this iconic collection, offering a unique textured effect and hand-finished appeal. As a result, the covetable Daisy collection, a charming fusion of inspired design and traditional craftsmanship, remained in circulation for over 20 years.
Frank’s original collection comprised six designs, initially shaped using plaster to create the cast iron moulds used in the centrifuge process – the same moulds used today, as Hilary Green, Head of Design at Dartington Crystal, explains. “Honouring Frank Thrower’s legacy, the Heirloom Daisy has been expertly crafted using his original 1974 moulds – housed in our product archives since 1975 – and the same captivating centrifuge process. This masterful technique has been passed down through generations of Dartington Crystal glassmakers and celebrates over half a century of the brand’s heritage”.
