Product Description
On October 20, 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution, visited Williamsburg as part of a 13-month farewell tour of the United States. From August 1824 to September 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette traveled throughout the United States, welcomed by thousands of admirers at each stop as "the Nation's guest." This limited-edition commemorative glass magnet is made in the USA exclusively for Colonial Williamsburg retail stores by master glass artist Phil Gilson. This Marquis de Lafayette 200th anniversary souvenir makes a great gift and addition to your Colonial Williamsburg collection. Grab yours before they sell out!
Features
- Marquis de Lafayette 200th anniversary souvenir
- Limited edition glass magnet
- Bottle green color
- Lafayette's crest on the front; plain on the back
- Measures approximately 2.25" diameter (this is a handmade item - exact dimensions may vary)
- Made in USA
- A Colonial Williamsburg retail shops exclusive! Sold online and at the Prentis and Market House stores in the Historic Area.
About the Artist
Phil Gilson might be the last colonial American-style glassblower working full-time in the traditions developed in the 18th Century. A cousin of the Wistars, owners of America's first successful glass operation, Gilson's craft has been a passion and a family legacy since the 1730s.
Gilson focuses most of his work on producing and perpetuating designs for historic homes, museums, schools, and the living history and re-enacting community. He makes many pieces using original molds and hand tools handed down for generations. Gilson is the last of two known master chippers in the country. Chipping is the trade of carving directly into cast-iron glass molds to re-create embossed bottles and flasks of the past.
The custom carvings enable Gilson to produce modern commemorative interpretations by placing interchangeable inserts in antique molds. His work also includes custom free-blown, pressed glass, and dip-molded pieces. All of his work is well-documented and made in historical bottle-glass colors.
Early American Life magazine's esteemed directory of Traditional American Crafts includes Phil Gilson as a member.
