Although overshadowed by Stourbridge, there was an important centre of glass-making in 19th. century Birmingham, mostly extremely luxurious, and associated with the silver workers in the city. John Walsh Walsh purchased a factory at Winson Green in Birmingham in 1850, and began to register designs. Unfortunately he died in 1864, as did his son (also called John Walsh Walsh) in 1879. The company was taken over by Ellen Eliza (one of John Walsh Walsh Senior’s daughters) and her husband, Thomas Ferdinand Walker. They introduced new cut designs, and at the end of the 19th. century they developed ‘Opaline Brocade’. This was a very fine glass, often in a straw colour with a complex pattern of white veins within the glass body. They also produced some very fine acid etched engraving. During the 1930s and early 40s, they set the pace in the British glass industry with their ranges of clear cut glass. The Second World War interrupted the production of decorative glass, and during this time they produced lighting glass for military aircraft and ships. In 1945 Clyne Farquharson designed some communion vessels for Coventry cathedral and St Matthew’s Church in Bristol. But after the war, it was difficult to find the skilled labour; the cut glass department was closed in 1949 and the factory itself closed in 1951.