International Author launches in Chester
Renaissance Venice came to Chester when an internationally renowned author celebrated the art of glassmaking at an exclusive reception in the city. More than 60 guests heard Marina Fiorato read from her bestselling novel The Glassblower of Murano and discuss Lalique’s crystalware. The event, supported by Lowe & Sons, was held at Chester Racecourse, where individual Lalique pieces worth more than £20,000 were among those on sale.
Lowe & Sons, of Bridge Street Row, is one of the oldest jewellers in the UK and has one of the largest selections of Lalique crystal for sale in the North West.
The Glassblower of Murano tells the story of the most celebrated glassblower of Renaissance Venice. Lalique still preserves the ancient traditions made famous in Venice by glassblowers on the island of Murano.
Copies of the books were sold at the event by Waterstone’s of Chester and there was the chance for a couple to win an all expenses paid trip to visit the Lalique factory in Wingen, near Strasbourg, France, to see how the glassware is produced.
Speaking on the night, Marina, who lived in Manchester but now lives in London, said: “Talking about beauty, I must say how lovely it is to be back in Chester. Chester is the perfect fusion of the ancient and the modern. This is a lovely display of Lalique from Lowe & Sons. Glass is very changeable and has many faces; it’s beautiful and miraculous.”
Kevin Parry, General Manager of Lowe & Sons, added: “Marina is extremely talented; it was amazing to see the person behind the book. Chester is a beautiful and historic city, just as Venice is; I have heard Chester described as the Venice of the North, with its system of canals. This was a fantastic event, combining quality companies including some of the world’s finest glassware produced by Lalique, Chester Racecourse and Waterstone’s. Guests had the chance to buy limited edition sets of the novel, with specially commissioned Lalique hearts. We were pleased that Save the Family attended the event after being nominated by Lowe & Sons as our chosen charity. This is fitting because they are based in Chester and North Wales, just as Waltons of Chester is.”
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Lowe & Sons was established by George Lowe in 1770 and has been at Bridge Street Row since 1804. Lowe’s has close links with Royalty, the Grosvenors, Chester City Council, local businesses and Chester Race Company.
The Victorian shop interior has remained the same since 1890. Lowe’s have been supplying the Chester Cup to Chester Racecourse since 1804, more than 200 years ago.
The Lowe family dominated the story of Chester silver throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. A large collection of Lowe’s silver is on display at the Ridgway Silver Gallery at The Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Street, Chester. Also on display is the last piece of silver hallmarked at the Chester Assay Office before its closure in 1962 and a new bowl, commissioned by the previous owners of Lowe & Sons, to celebrate the opening of the gallery in 1992.
The Glassblower of Murano is published by Beautiful Books and is for sale at Waterstone’s on Eastgate Row South, Chester for £7.99.
Press Contact:
Press information: Phil Brotherhood Marketing Projects PR Mobile and out of hours: 0788 44 93370 Email: phil@marketingprojects.co.uk Office: 01244 330000
Company Contact: Richard Hogben General Manager of Waltons of Chester 45, Eastgate Street, Chester CH1 1LR Tel: 01244 325972 Website: www.waltonsofchester.co.uk
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