Libbey Bar Glasses by Freda Diamond, Early 1950s

Vintage Libbey Bar Glasses, (23 pieces) Curio Line Designed by Freda Diamond.

Libbey Glass Co.

1950s.

The charming set of twenty three pieces of barware each depict different horse carriages in black with white and gold highlights.

Four Collins (7 inches x 2 1/2 inches).
Eight Double Shot Glasses (4 3/8 iches x 2 1/4 inches).
Five Snack Bowls (2 1/4 inches wide x 4 inches wide).
Six Old Fashioned or Rocks (3 1/2 inches x 3 inches).

Mark: Some pieces with Libbey logo with the cursive L inside a circle.

Advert for the Curio Line from 1952.

Reference: Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, Material Matters -  An Ode to Freda Daimond, By Carrie Greif, WPAMC Class of 2019

(https://sites.udel.edu/materialmatters/2018/02/26/an-ode-to-freda-diamond/)

A 1954 issue of Life magazine stated that Freda Diamond (1905 - 1998) had, "probably done more to get simple well-styled furnishings into every room of the average U.S. home than any other designer". Diamond built her career as an advocate for high-quality low cost design that met the needs of consumers.

The daughter of a New York City costume designer, Diamond studied decorative designs at the Women's Art School at Cooper Union and then worked for William Baumgarten, a top New York furniture store. Looking to do more "real work", Diamond set up her own design consultancy firm in 1930.

In the late 1930s Diamond designed furniture for companies such as Herman Miller. In 1942 she and Virginia Hamill were hired by Libbey Glass as the company attempted to diversify its design team in order to meet the demands of a changing consumer market.

At Libbey, she thrived as a designer who created products that met the functional and aesthetic needs of the middle class. She continued working at Libbey throughout her life, taking on a mentor role towards the end of her career.

When she retired in 1988, her client list included Sears, Roebuck, Lighttolier, General Electric, Herman Miller, G. Fox & Company and Los Angeles's May Company. Her work is held at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and many more.

Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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