A. D. Copier

Andries Dirk Copier (1901-1991) began his career at the Leerdam glassworks in 1914. Leerdam was one of the first Dutch factories to collaborate with artists and architects in order to produce aesthetically superior, modern products to be marketed under the artists' name. Copier made a significant contribution to this and can be regarded as one of the first Dutch industrial designers. By the 1960s Copier could be found in every Dutch household. Over the last few decades, his more exclusive unique pieces have also enjoyed international acclaim and are now much sought after. But Copier's significance for Dutch glass goes far beyond his designs for Leerdam alone. In 1940 he founded the Leerdam glass-school, where some of the best glass artists of the next generation received their training. His 'free' artistic glass, which he made until the end of his long and productive life, was the result of a ceaseless creative urge paired with a boundless curiosity to explore the technical and artistic possibilities of the material. His talented works are shown in beautiful colour photographs throughout this book.