![]() Orient & Flume specialized in recreating the outstanding achievements of famous American companies, such as Tiffany “cypriote” glass and Steuben aurenes. The company regularly drew in other artists with various skills in working glass, including Kathy Orme (a designer who still does sand-carved glass in Chico), Lubomir Richter (a Czech-trained glass engraver who works for Steuben), Dan Shura (an ivory scrimshaw artist now living in Canada), Daniel Boone (a stained-glass artist who now has his own studio in Chico), and Bruce Sillars (a designer and glassblower employed by the company). The company was then relocated to Park Avenue in Chico where it remains to this very day. Orient & Flume’s stunning art glass creations quickly became popular and by 1973 the business had grown too large for the small carriage house. ![]() It was at this location that Douglas purchased a historic carriage house and transformed it into an art glass studio. Their first pieces were signed with a double B, indicating Boyd and Ballentine. After returning from their travels they set up their first furnace in Boyd’s backyard, which lay between Orient Street and Flume Street hence the company title. Being a world traveler myself and having lived in Europe for eight years, off and on I can relate to what a wonderful adventure and learning experience it is. I suppose their travels are a highly kept secret entered in their diaries only as I have never read about any of their experiences. After getting their master’s degrees they traveled all over Europe learning and experiencing the old techniques in glass first hand. Both had studied with Robert Fritz at San José. ![]() The work of Orient & Flume can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum, the Smithsonian Museum, the Chicago Art Institute, the Chrysler Museum, the Corning Glass Museum and fine stores and galleries throughout the world.The company of Orient & Flume was founded in 1972 at Chico, CA, by Douglas Boyd and David Ballentine Hopper. In time, this led to their current creations of intricate, three-dimensional design's encased in clear glass.īy 1973 the carriage house proved to be too small for a rapidly growing business and was relocated to 2161 Park Avenue. In l972, the house was purchased by Douglas Boyd and was transformed into an art glass studio.Įarly work of the studio was directed toward recreating the silver-luster of iridescent glass of such turn-of-the-century artists as Tiffany, Steuben, and Loetz. ![]() Located between Orient Street and Flume Street, this site was destined to play an important role in the story Orient & Flume. The quaint atmosphere soon created one of the most distinctive valley towns in California.Ībout 1893, one characteristic home with a carriage house was built in the historic Oriental section of town. By the late 1800's, Chico had grown into a charming Victorian community. In the early 1800’s, Chico was an important center for gold mining, railroad construction and ranching. Nationally acclaimed for its excellence in design since 1972, the glass of Orient & Flume utilizes both traditional and contemporary motifs and can be found in the permanent collections of the most prestigious museums in the world. These signed pieces capture nature's inspiration in both iridescent and crystal clear glass. Orient & Flume produces fine art glass for the collector.
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