Introduction by Jan Kock

In Denmark, production of glass in the Renaissance ceased in the middle of the 17th century because of the wars with Sweden and the resulting poor economic situation.  From then on, people managed with imported goods.
Nøstetangen Glassworks was established on the initiative of the king in 1739, together with several other industries, in an effort to make the twin monarchy of Norway and Denmark more self-sufficient.
 
To begin with, glassmakers were brought in from the German region, and they introduced the continental European style to Norway. Some years later, they were joined by glassmakers from England, who brought their own English style with them. These two very different traditions melted together into a style that was uniquely Danish and Norwegian. Production was large and varied, as can be seen from a hand-drawn model book, which today would be called a catalogue.  Even on a European scale, it is rare to find such good model books from the 18th century.
 
The model book from 1763
In the mid-1760s production had become so extensive that it was necessary to have an illustrated model book, often with coloured drawings, giving the names and prices, or what today we would call a catalogue accompanied by a pricelist. The model book is drawn by hand, and six copies are known, dated 1763, 1764 and 1774. They are all slightly different, but all drawn by Ip Olufsen Weyse, letter and stamp engraver, in Copenhagen. The format is approximately A4, and consists of more than 360 pages, all in stiff half-leather binding. Five copies are in Norway (in Bergen, Hadeland and Oslo), and there is one in the Royal Library in Copenhagen which was never completed, however.
 
The model book includes about 600 different glass items, of which the majority are illustrated in fine coloured drawings. Several of the glasses have been named after the person who originally ordered them. Examples are “Hoffets Dessert” (Court Dessert), “Hoffets Slebne Wand Caraffer” (Court cut water carafes), “Count Molke’s no 1” and “Gersdorf’s formed Caraffer,” just to mention a few.
 
The reproductions
A facsimile of the model book has now been produced in full size (20x30 cm), and consists of 432 pages. The publication includes a text with comments and analysis in Danish and English by Jan Kock MA, Associate Professor emeritus, Aarhus University.
The publication was supported by a number of funds.

 Further information please contact: Jan Kock, +45 (0)2093 0468; mail: kock_jan@hotmail.com