J. Hill's Standard

J. HILL’s Standard is known for handmade collectible and award-winning crystal glass, creating special collections – be they bespoke, custom or part of the permanent collections in collaboration with makers, artists, designers and creatives. The company’s debut collections were shown at Spazio Rossana Orlandi during Salone del Mobile 2014. Our glassware has gone on to win many awards and critical praise, including the German Design Council prize for Tabletop in 2016 and the Wallpaper* prize for ‘Best Whiskey Glass.’ The pieces have also been acquired by the Louvre for permanent display in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and in the National Museum of Ireland. Recently, J. HILL’s Standard has collaborated with Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken on a limited collection titled, “The Secant Project,” which includes a wall, floor and table light. This new series “Hand Drawn Glass,” designed and hand drawn by Irish illustrator Nigel Peake, represents a departure from the traditional rigid cut patterns of crystal glass, exploring an organic approach to form and design. The pieces feature clean, elemental shapes, and cuts that reveal the imprint of the hand.

Maker's Story

J. HILL’s Standard is known for handmade collectible and award-winning crystal glass, creating special collections which have been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, and can be found on display in galleries such as the Louvre in Paris and the National Museum of Ireland. This new series, “Hand Drawn Glass”, has been designed and hand drawn by Irish illustrator Nigel Peake.

THE PROCESS

J. Hill Standard make their pieces in Ireland, working in collaboration with designers whose ethos embodies similar goals of timelessness and utility. For their latest collection, Hand Drawn Glass, Irish illustrator Nigel Peake created a series of tableware etched with a spontaneous-feeling design. Representing a departure from the traditional rigid cut patterns of crystal glass, this collection explores an organic approach to form and design. The pieces feature clean, elemental shapes and cuts that reveal the imprint of the hand.

Q&A

1. What motivates you to make?

The conviction that without a fresh approach to design and making, the glass industry will continue to dwindle on the island of Ireland and this age old skill will vanish.

2. What and/or who are you most inspired or influenced by?

The energy and nourishing power of nature is a bottomless wellspring of ideas and influence. All of our collections reflect this – developing cuts inspired by the hedgerows and the patterns of tilled fields, the deep furrows of the plough and the sharp incisions of the turf cutters. Nature adheres strongly to its own internal logic and our goal is for our pieces to do the same – to be functional, useful and beautiful with no excess.

3. What is your unique approach to your craft, and how have you honed your skills?

We hand make our pieces in Ireland working in collaboration with designers whose work embodies similar goals of timelessness and utility. We are working to deepen our glassmaking practice here in Ireland though the exploration of new forms and the active development of new making techniques.

Our approach is one of constant curiosity and a willingness to explore new methods. We work with best in practice research facilities and draw on the powerful community of glass makers, both here and around the world, to expand and strengthen our techniques.

4. What is your definition or proudest moment as a maker so far?

We have won many design awards and our glass has been collected by the National Museum of Ireland and the Louvre. That said, an image or a warm note from a happy glass owner who is enjoying using it every day is always the best feeling. Good to have made an enjoyable thing!

5. What is your dream project?

Whichever beautiful object is currently on the drawing board and waiting for us to find a way to bring it to life. The more simple it looks, the more difficult it will be. That’s the rule!