Meet the ancient art of glass blowing and the artists who keep it alive to this day in the museum.
Maybe you’ve never wondered, but do you know how glass sculptures and vases are made? The answer lies in the art of glass blowing. This technique involves molding the material with heat and, as the name suggests, blowing. It is a relatively simple act that has the power to create both functional and decorative pieces.
The techniques used in glassblowing have remained much the same since its discovery. Molten glass (with the consistency of molasses) is used and placed at the end of a hollow tube. Air is then blown through that tube, causing the flexible glass to inflate and take the shape of a bubble. From there, it is shaped by moving, rolling or blowing the glass. Finally, additional elements that will make the glass functional (such as handles or stems) are attached by welding.
History of blown glass
Man’s relationship with glass dates back to prehistoric times, in 4000 BC. Man had not yet discovered blown glass at that time, but he did take advantage of a type of natural glass called obsidian that arose from volcanic eruptions. The material was used to make tools, arrowheads and amulets. At this time, humans also discovered the recipe for creating glass: sand, vegetable ash and lime. The vegetable ash helped the sand to melt and the lime was a stabilizer that protected the material from moisture.
By 1500 B.C., people in Mesopotamia and Egypt began shaping their own vessels by placing hot glass around solid cores and dung. Once the glass cooled, the cores were removed to reveal a hollow form. In addition to making bowls, glass tiles were also created at this time.
The Syrians were the first to devise a way to make blown glass. Around 300 BC they created a tubular tool that would serve as the basis for the technique we use today. It soon reached the Roman Empire, where they began experimenting with the practice by inventing new shapes. Roman craftsmen also improved on the basic glass formula to create designs within the material and decorate it using metal inlays.
The best glassblowers were in the Middle East and their secrets to glass production were closely guarded. However, during the Middle Ages, Italy-specifically Venice-became the mecca of glassblowing, as the process came to them through trade between the two places. The Italian government forced all glassblowers to go to the island of Murano around 1300 AD. There they perfected their craft and developed crystal glass, a transparent glass. They also produced new colors.
