* Absolutely Genuine Waterford Irish Crystal  *

THIS WOULD MAKE AN AMAZING WEDDING GIFT

This Waterford Irish Cut Crystal

"FERN BOWL"

is magnificent in every detail, and would make a wonderful addition to your collection and home decor . . . beautiful on your table or as a fine antique collectible in your display case.This is an excellent example of the masterful craftsmanship from Waterford studios. The Fern Bowl is quite heavy and shows several Waterford patterns.  The bowl is in perfect condition save faint contact marks on the base

Etched with the early pre 1999 "Waterford" stamp on the base of the bowl.

Please note: Box is not in perfect condition.

THE WATERFORD STORY:

WATERFORD CRYSTAL, INDIVIDUALLY MOUTH-BLOWN...PAINSTAKINGLY HAND CUT, JUST AS IT WAS 200 YEARS AGO. 

BEHIND EACH PIECE IS THE STORY OF A YOUNG MAN'S DEDICATION.

 IN TODAY'S WORLD, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO IMAGINE A YOUNG MAN OF 16 EMBARKING UPON HIS LIFE'S WORK, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT WORK REQUIRES A FIVE YEAR APPRENTICESHIP. . . BUT TO BE SELECTED AS A WATERFORD APPRENTICE IS TO BE AWARDED A POSITION SO PRIZED THAT OFTEN AS MANY AS ONE THOUSAND APPLY-FROM WHICH AS FEW AS 25 ARE CHOSEN.

THUS BEGINS A PERIOD OF TRAINING THAT DEMANDS INTENSE CONCENTRATION AND DEDICATION.  A PERIOD OF TESTING TO DETERMINE THE YOUNG MAN'S DESIRE TO MAKE A CAREER OF GLASS CUTTING. . . AND HIS ABILITY, IN THE EYES OF THE COMPANY, TO MEET WATERFORD STANDARDS.

STARTING WITH THE SIMPLER PATTERNS AND PROGRESSING OT MORE DIFFICULT ONES, THE APPRENTICE LEARNS TO USE SIGHT AND FEEL TO DETERMINE THE POSITION, DEPTH, AND WIDTH OF EACH CUT.  AT THE END OF THREE YEARS, AND AGAIN AT THE END OF HIS FOURTH YEAR, AS AN APPRENTICE CUTTER HE MUST CUT A BOWL ENTIRELY ON HIS OWN.

THE ULTIMATE TEST COMES AT THE END OF HIS FIFTH YEAR WHEN HE IS REQUIRED TO CUT HIS APPRENTICE BOWL IN ORDER TO QUALIFY AS A WATERFORD CUTTER. THIS IS AN EXAM LIKE NO OTHER.  HIS "COPYBOOK" IS A BLANK CRYSTAL BOWL.  HIS "TEST PERIOD" IS TWO DAYS.  HE IS ONLY GIVEN THREE CHANCES TO CUT A PERFECT BOWL.

IF HE SUCCEEDS IN CUTTING A PERFECT BOWL, IT IS HIS TO KEEP, INSCRIBED WITH HIS NAME BY THE MASTER CUTTER WHO HAS SERVED AS HIS MENTOR DURING HIS APPRENTICESHIP.

THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE APPRENTICE BOWL IS THE FULFILLMENT OF ONE DREAM AND THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER . . . FOR DEEP WITHIN THE HEART OF EACH CUTTER LIES THE AMBITION TO ONE DAY BECOME A WATERFORD MASTER CUTTER, A RANK ATTAINED BY ONLY A SELECT FEW, AND THE LAST TEST FOR A WATERFORD CUTTER.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

I HAVE ANOTHER 200 PIECES OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL FROM MY COLLECTION THAT I WILL BE SELLING.  IF THERE IS ANY ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU WANT PLEASE EMAIL ME. 

THANKS VERY MUCH !!!!

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