A glassblowing pioneer was firing on all cylinders when he revealed a brand new sculpture inspired by a luxury car as part of a London Craft Week event.

Owner of the iconic London Glassblowing Peter Layton is taking part in the event at Covent Garden – entitled the Takumi Townhouse by Lexus – for which he has created the stunningly intricate glass piece.
The event celebrates the unique Japanese concept and tradition of ‘takumi’; the artisans who dedicate years to mastering a specific skill. Taking place across two floors at UNIT X in Seven Dials this week, the exhibition explores takumi in the UK today, focusing on work with glass, leather, wood, metal and paper.

Lexus has also created a film starring Peter – the UK’s oldest glassblower, at 84 – talking about creating the sculpture. Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zg0XZSZods

Peter’s incredible glassblown piece was inspired by the Lexus LS 500h and its glass inserts on the door panels, designed by Japanese craftsman Toshiyasu Nakamura, as well as the front grill.

“Though the art of glassblowing was invented by the Phoenicians in the first century, we’re now producing brand new pieces inspired by creations at the forefront of technology – such as the Lexus,” said Peter.

“I was most intrigued by the glass panels in the doors and I thought they were stunning.

“My first thought was to emulate those in some way – and then I thought about the colour. Lexus blue is a colour that appealed to me and, as it happens, it’s a colour I’ve been using a lot.

“I was also very taken with the grill, so I tried to get some sense of that pattern into the glass.”