Georges Bontemps
Encyclopedia
Georges Bontemps was a director of an eminent French glass manufacturer in the 19th century, moved to England to work and is accredited with the re-invention of a technique for making ruby-coloured glass that was first used by the Venetians
in the 16th century. He was a jury member at the 1862 International Exhibition
in London and the Exposition Universelle (1867)
in Paris.
until 1848. In 1830, he acted as an agent to the Englishman Robert Lucas Chance
, assisting in the recruitment of French and Belgian glass workers to work for him - an illegal act that could have resulted in both men being imprisoned. Chance was looking for ways to improve the production of flat glass at his newly-formed factory in Smethwick
, Birmingham
.
In 1848, when the second French Revolution
forced Georges Bontemps to flee to England, he found employment at Chance Brothers
, due to his longtime friendship with Chance.
s. He was also instrumental in producing a flint and crown glass disc, measuring 29-inches (74 cm) in diameter, which ironically, was purchased by the French government to be used in a telescope. He is attributed with the re-invention of a technique used to make ruby-red glass that was first produced by Venetian
glassworkers in the 16th century.
Bontemps reported on the glass displays at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and was a jury member at the 1862 International Exhibition
in London and the Exposition Universelle (1867)
in Paris.
Paris Librairie du Dictionnaire des Arts et Manufactures: 1868
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
in the 16th century. He was a jury member at the 1862 International Exhibition
1862 International Exhibition
The International of 1862, or Great London Exposition, was a world's fair. It was held from 1 May to 1 November 1862, beside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, London, England, on a site that now houses museums including the Natural History Museum and the Science...
in London and the Exposition Universelle (1867)
Exposition Universelle (1867)
The Exposition Universelle of 1867 was a World Exposition held in Paris, France, in 1867.-Conception:In 1864, Emperor Napoleon III decreed that an international exposition should be held in Paris in 1867. A commission was appointed with Prince Jerome Napoleon as president, under whose direction...
in Paris.
Early career
Georges Bontemps was a director of a French glass manufacturer based at Choisy-le-RoiChoisy-le-Roi
Choisy-le-Roi is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Geography:Crossed by the Seine river, it is located from the center of Paris....
until 1848. In 1830, he acted as an agent to the Englishman Robert Lucas Chance
Robert Lucas Chance
Robert Lucas Chance , was the fifth child and eldest son of William Chance and Sarah Lucas . He was always known as Lucas Chance.-Working life:...
, assisting in the recruitment of French and Belgian glass workers to work for him - an illegal act that could have resulted in both men being imprisoned. Chance was looking for ways to improve the production of flat glass at his newly-formed factory in Smethwick
Smethwick
Smethwick is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. It is situated on the edge of the city of Birmingham, within the historic boundaries of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire....
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
In 1848, when the second French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
forced Georges Bontemps to flee to England, he found employment at Chance Brothers
Chance Brothers
Chance Brothers and Company was a glassworks originally based in Spon Lane, Smethwick, West Midlands , in England. It was a leading glass manufacturer and a pioneer of British glassmaking technology....
, due to his longtime friendship with Chance.
Later career
Bontemps was employed at Chance Brothers as Superintendent of the Coloured & Ornamental departments from 1848 until 1854. During this time, he helped advise on the optics that Chance's fledgling operation was trying to develop for use in lighthouseLighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
s. He was also instrumental in producing a flint and crown glass disc, measuring 29-inches (74 cm) in diameter, which ironically, was purchased by the French government to be used in a telescope. He is attributed with the re-invention of a technique used to make ruby-red glass that was first produced by Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
glassworkers in the 16th century.
Bontemps reported on the glass displays at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and was a jury member at the 1862 International Exhibition
1862 International Exhibition
The International of 1862, or Great London Exposition, was a world's fair. It was held from 1 May to 1 November 1862, beside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, London, England, on a site that now houses museums including the Natural History Museum and the Science...
in London and the Exposition Universelle (1867)
Exposition Universelle (1867)
The Exposition Universelle of 1867 was a World Exposition held in Paris, France, in 1867.-Conception:In 1864, Emperor Napoleon III decreed that an international exposition should be held in Paris in 1867. A commission was appointed with Prince Jerome Napoleon as president, under whose direction...
in Paris.
Friends and associates
Despite being a great friend of Antoine Claudet (Antoine-François-Jean Claudet), the eminent Victorian photographer and inventor, no photograph is known to exist of Georges Bontemps.Books by Bontemps
Guide du Verrier, traite historique et pratique de la Fabrication des Verres, Cristaux, VitrauxParis Librairie du Dictionnaire des Arts et Manufactures: 1868