The artisans of Goodwood Revival: David Perry Glass

For the team at the Goodwood Shop, it’s essential that the products they sell are made with care and consideration, often by artisans or small businesses. This is certainly evident in the case of the sought-after fused glass coasters which can be snapped up in store, online and at our pop-ups at our events.

The striking coasters come in a beautiful chequerboard design finished in three colourways: black, for the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard; blue, for Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport; and green, for the Revival. They add a pop of colour to any table.

The ceramicist behind these collectables is David Perry, who works out of his studio, David Perry Glass, based in Penryn in Cornwall.  Perry had a complete change of lifestyle in 2011, when he swapped his home county of Gloucestershire for Cornwall in search of a different pace of life.  And he found it.

Immersing himself in the arts scene around his newfound home, Perry decided to jettison his office job in IT and embrace the inner artist he didn’t know he was.  Starting with photography, he soon scouted around for something even more fulfilling and found himself at a glass fusing workshop.  Finding a real affinity for the skill of painstakingly joining glass together by hand, Perry took online courses and attended more workshops before finding his signature style.

“I was so happy working with glass that I sold my house in Gloucestershire, quit my job and gave myself a year to two years to see if I could make a living out of my new passion,” said Perry. “Otherwise, I would get back into the office.”

Happily, Perry hasn’t had to search the job ads yet and is constantly busy keeping up with the demands of his trade and consumer orders.  His signature chequerboard designs are eye-catching and memorable, and crafting them is something that brings him great enjoyment.

“I find it really satisfying to measure out the small squares and make sure that I line them all up properly.  Of course, being hand made from a natural material, some of them have small marks in them or bubbles, but that’s all part of the individual look and just adds to their beauty in my eyes.

“My colour combinations work really well together, and I love creating the Goodwood range in black and white, blue and white and green and cream — they always look very smart, particularly in groups.”

Perry invested in his own kiln and built his own studio at home, but he also likes to get together with other artists from time to time in his small town to share inspiration.  In tune with Revival’s Revive & Thrive ethos, Perry is now looking at ways to use up his scrap glass and offcuts to be incorporated into more 3D designs.

General Manager of the Goodwood Shop, Lucy Murphy, said, “I was so pleased to discover David’s work and love receiving a new handmade batch of his fabulous glass coasters. Our customers love to add them to their homeware collections.”

If you fancy adding a David Perry Glass coaster to your home, be sure to check them out as you browse the Goodwood Shops at the Revival in the High Street and Over the Road, or you can place an order online.

Images courtesy of David Perry.

Saturday tickets and 3-Day passes for the Goodwood Revival have now sold out, and Friday and Sunday tickets are limited. 

If you’re not already part of the GRRC, you can sign up to the Fellowship today and save ten per cent on your 2026 tickets and grandstand passes, as well as enjoying a whole host of other on-event perks.