John Barber Glass Designs

Pioneer of the New Renaissance Glass Movement

John Barber

John Barber

Master Glass Designer

At the invitation of Erwin Eisch, John Barber traveled to Germany to

meet with Eisch and was subsequently accepted as his apprentice. And so it was in the basement of the Eisch glass factory that Barber first set foot on the road from studio apprentice to intricate decoration assisting Eisch in the creation of his glass masterworks.

Later Eisch was instrumental in helping John gain admittance to the celebrated State School for Glass Design in Zwiezel, Germany where Barber completed an intensive two-year apprenticeship program studying in-depth the techniques of European Masters.

In 1973, John returned to the United States and founded one of Southern California’s first privately owned glass blowing studios. He continued his research, focusing his interest on the rediscovery of lost techniques which produced the breathtaking glass masterwork of the Art Nouveau period.

Beginning with Erwin Eisch and continuing for the next 40 years, John Barber has researched and utilized techniques of the Masters ... and in doing so has achieved the status himself.

In European tradition, an apprenticeship lasts 20 years -- in 1992 John Barber at long last earned the right to sit at the Master’s bench.

About John

Montage Laguna BeachThe beautiful mural, visible from Pacific Coast Highway, depicts a graceful Laguna Beach landscape. Barber also created two 46-inch tall illuminated urns placed on pedestals at the property entrance.

Please contact us to pursue your custom design and installation project.

Some of John's Customers:

Cher, Vera Wang, Oprah Winfry, Diane Cannon, Roddy McDowell, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Seymore, Brook Shields, and Linda Brakestone

John delights in custom design work. He has created custom pieces for celebrities, resorts, restaurants, and corporations around the World.

Below is a distinctive glass works of art in a style known as pate de verre, glass casting. This form of glass is rarely seen historically or in contemporary work. Very early glassmakers used the technique of metal casting to cast glass and treat it as “poured stone.” Glass works created in pate de verre have proven durability, and some museum pieces have survived more than 2000 years.

Barber used this ancient pate de verre technique to create a custom 32 foot long glass mural at the entrance of the

Commissions

Tumblers

Approximately 5” TallWith Decorative Silver Frit DetailAvailable in a Variety of Colors Including Iris Gold, Scarlet Red, Cobalt Blue, and Purple

Unlike much of the production studio glass commonly found in department stores, these one-of-a-kind works are created from the furnaces at John Barbers Lagu-na Beach Studio.

Iris Gold � Scarlet Red � Cobalt Blue � Purple

Vases

PaintedThe most contemporary innovation in

art glass making this process entails painting with oils mixed with ground glass.

An art piece begins by creating blown glass which is subsequently painted with the oil and ground glass mixture, heated, encased in molten glass, and then blown to size. This is the most painterly of glass and done on a limited basis.

DecorativeDecorative pieces are spontaneously created at the workbench by combining different colors of molten glass. Borrowing techniques from the Art Nouveau period and combining them with contemporary innovations, one of a kind art works are created.

Cameo EtchedOne of the oldest decorative techniques dating back to 3rd Century Peking Glass. The harder work begins after blowing the glass piece. Etching is done by sand blasting thru thin glass overlays. The etched glass layers create a contrast in color. These are limited production pieces, very personal and highly collectible.

Painted � Decorative � Cameo Etched

Stemware

Decorative pieces are spontaneously created at the workbench by combining different colors of molten glass. Borrowing techniques from the Art Nouveau period and combining them with contemporary innovations, one of a kind art works are created.

The bowl has an optic twist and is available in the following colors:

Iris Gold,Copper RedCobalt BlueCaribbean BlueDeep HyacinthGold Cranberryand Crystal Clear

The stems are Iris Gold Frit, perfectly footed.

Wedding Goblets have a decorative bowl and a fancy stem and are available in 64 colors.

Wine Goblets � Champagne Flutes � Martini Glasses

From The SeaShells �  Starfish  � Sealife � Wave Tiles

John's interpretations of natural forms combine elegant design with rich, vivid color creating original, one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass art.

Visit our studio our call to discuss your specific desires and let John create a one-of kind work of art for you.

All works are created on a limited-edition basis, each signed and dated with the year as testimony of their heirloom quality.

Clams

Each one-of-a-kind piece is conceived and executed by the artist. Every piece is unique unto itself, combining traditional form with contemporary design innovations.

Footed clams are available in an assortment of colors, sizes, and shapes.

Visit the studio or call to discuss your special piece.

John's work is recognized for its distinctive color-combinations and

unique formulas, offering dazzling art that simply commands to be looked at.

Threaded � Tall Threaded � Silver Chips

Bowls

For more than 40 years, I have produced 10 to 14 tons of art glass a year, translating into millions of one-of-a-kind signed pieces in collections worldwide.

Crossing the threshold into the world of art and viewing work that has been created can transport you to a place for reflection, inspiration, peace and even ecstasy in an increasingly chaotic environment. By looking even deeper, one can develop sharper observational skills and may even discover their own creativity. We want you to find a way in.

Fluted with Foot � Full Body � Irridized � Cameo

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