... as decoration
Glass decoration can be divided into two main areas. On the one hand, clear glass is used almost exclusively for the production of vases and other containers. On the other hand, colored glass is also frequently used for vases and the like, but also for figurines. Glass is a very resistant material to environmental influences. It is therefore often used in the garden for lanterns, for example.
... in history
The origins of glass go back a long way. Glass was first recorded around 1600 BC in Ugarit, an important Syrian trading post of the Bronze Age culture of Syria. The first glass object can be dated to around 1450 BC. It is a goblet. Around this time, glass vessels were made by placing it in a soft state in the form of a rod around a porous ceramic core. This was then simply broken out. The first known instructions for making glass date back to around 650 BC. Around this time, the production of glass became more widespread and new techniques were developed.
The 'Naturalis Historia' describes the production of glass around 77 AD. At this time, glass was made in Europe and North Africa using soda and river sand from Egypt. However, no country was able to build up such a significant and advanced production as Egypt, as they also succeeded in producing transparent glass. In what is now Israel, several tons of glass were produced at once in large vats. This process took around 15 days. The finished material could then be exported and processed elsewhere.
Around 1110, a Benedictine monk wrote down his production technique for glass, which laid the foundations for new furnace technology. The furnaces were more advanced and rose above several levels. Thanks to his research, the first flat glass for churches could be blown. These often came from the forest glassworks north of the Alps.
The Venetian glass tradition began in Italy in the 10th century. The first records of active glassmakers can be found in Venice from the 11th century. In 1295, all the glassworks were set up on the island of Murano for fear of possible fires in Venice, but above all for the sake of secrecy. It was on this remote island in the 15th century that the glassmaker and inventor Angelo Barovier discovered the secret of glass decolouration and thus clear glass, making him the first European to produce this glass, known as crystallo. From the 19th century in particular, many other artistic glassmaking techniques were developed in Venice.
Throughout history, more and more glass shapes have been invented. These include vases, tea light holders, bottles and carafes. Glass is interesting for many decorative applications as it is the only completely waterproof material. Water resistance is particularly important for bottles. At the beginning of glass production, glass bottles were only intended for storing precious oils. It was not until the Middle Ages that the glass bottle gained a foothold and became the norm for storing drinks during industrialization. But vases were made even earlier. Today, they are the most important silent witnesses to the study of ancient art. Ceramics were initially used to make them, but later glass was used to a large extent. Glass vases are mostly used for decorating with cut flowers or bouquets. Water resistance also comes into play here.
However, glass has also been used for other decorative purposes for a long time. The idea of the lantern, for example, dates back to the early Middle Ages. As there was no electricity, lanterns had to be operated with candles or oil. To prevent the flame from being extinguished by the wind or other environmental influences, it was protected with a glass box. Candles were also often used indoors to provide light or warmth. Today, when lanterns are powered by electricity and houses are heated, candles are only placed in lanterns for decorative purposes. Often also in the garden or on balconies to protect the candle again.
The 'Naturalis Historia' describes the production of glass around 77 AD. At this time, glass was made in Europe and North Africa using soda and river sand from Egypt. However, no country was able to build up such a significant and advanced production as Egypt, as they also succeeded in producing transparent glass. In what is now Israel, several tons of glass were produced at once in large vats. This process took around 15 days. The finished material could then be exported and processed elsewhere.
Around 1110, a Benedictine monk wrote down his production technique for glass, which laid the foundations for new furnace technology. The furnaces were more advanced and rose above several levels. Thanks to his research, the first flat glass for churches could be blown. These often came from the forest glassworks north of the Alps.
The Venetian glass tradition began in Italy in the 10th century. The first records of active glassmakers can be found in Venice from the 11th century. In 1295, all the glassworks were set up on the island of Murano for fear of possible fires in Venice, but above all for the sake of secrecy. It was on this remote island in the 15th century that the glassmaker and inventor Angelo Barovier discovered the secret of glass decolouration and thus clear glass, making him the first European to produce this glass, known as crystallo. From the 19th century in particular, many other artistic glassmaking techniques were developed in Venice.
Throughout history, more and more glass shapes have been invented. These include vases, tea light holders, bottles and carafes. Glass is interesting for many decorative applications as it is the only completely waterproof material. Water resistance is particularly important for bottles. At the beginning of glass production, glass bottles were only intended for storing precious oils. It was not until the Middle Ages that the glass bottle gained a foothold and became the norm for storing drinks during industrialization. But vases were made even earlier. Today, they are the most important silent witnesses to the study of ancient art. Ceramics were initially used to make them, but later glass was used to a large extent. Glass vases are mostly used for decorating with cut flowers or bouquets. Water resistance also comes into play here.
However, glass has also been used for other decorative purposes for a long time. The idea of the lantern, for example, dates back to the early Middle Ages. As there was no electricity, lanterns had to be operated with candles or oil. To prevent the flame from being extinguished by the wind or other environmental influences, it was protected with a glass box. Candles were also often used indoors to provide light or warmth. Today, when lanterns are powered by electricity and houses are heated, candles are only placed in lanterns for decorative purposes. Often also in the garden or on balconies to protect the candle again.
... in production
The finished glass product can basically be produced in two ways. Firstly, the glass can be produced by machine. This involves processing large vats of viscous glass. During the melting process, up to 90% used glass cullet is often mixed in for recycling. After melting, the mixture is sent to the so-called refining stage. In this step, all gas and air inclusions are removed. The technique used for the subsequent shaping depends entirely on the desired result. For hollow glass, for example, the blowing process is often used. Here, the product is inflated from the inside and then given its final shape by further inflation. Flat glass for windows, for example, is rolled or drawn. As glass is a very brittle material, it must be cooled very carefully. In the case of machine glass, large cooling tracks are available in factories for this purpose. The great advantage of machine-produced glass products is that they can be produced very cheaply, but this method of production is only worthwhile for large series.
Mouth-blown glass is suitable for smaller series. Although it is more expensive to produce, it is possible to create unusual and complicated shapes. Glassblowers are active in many areas. For example, in research facilities. But especially in art. Glassware produced by hand often impresses with its originality and uniqueness, as no two pieces look the same. In fact, silver glass, for example, can only be made by hand. The art of glassblowing has existed since around the 17th century and has been listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and Germany. In this country, however, there are only a few independent glassblowing workshops left.
With both production variants, something has to be cut afterwards. There are basically two options. With cold cut, the glass, like many other materials, is cut with a saw blade. Afterwards, this results in a straight, clear edge that can be further processed or left as it is. The other method is the hot cut. Here, the edge of the glass is melted and cut through. The result is a kind of bead on the edge. This technique is often used for drinking glasses.
The production of colored glass is a world of its own. This is because the color must already be determined during the melting process. Colors are mixed in by adding various metal oxides or salts. However, these do not have the effect of ordinary color as in plastics, but change how the light passes through the glass. Iron oxide, for example, colors glass green. Copper oxide colors glass red or blue, depending on its composition. This glass is called through-colored. Of course, there are other ways of coloring glass. For example, by spraying glass surfaces, lacquering or silver nitrate for silver glass. Iridescent or lustrous coatings are also frequently used to achieve a pearlescent sheen. In addition to colors, other coatings are also of great interest to the glass industry. So-called easy-to-clean coatings make surfaces hydrophobic and therefore easier to clean. This effect is often offered for spectacle lenses. However, other coatings are also used to prevent reflections. A lot is also used today to filter out certain light rays. For example, specially coated glass plates are often used to block infrared or UV rays from the sun.
Mouth-blown glass is suitable for smaller series. Although it is more expensive to produce, it is possible to create unusual and complicated shapes. Glassblowers are active in many areas. For example, in research facilities. But especially in art. Glassware produced by hand often impresses with its originality and uniqueness, as no two pieces look the same. In fact, silver glass, for example, can only be made by hand. The art of glassblowing has existed since around the 17th century and has been listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and Germany. In this country, however, there are only a few independent glassblowing workshops left.
With both production variants, something has to be cut afterwards. There are basically two options. With cold cut, the glass, like many other materials, is cut with a saw blade. Afterwards, this results in a straight, clear edge that can be further processed or left as it is. The other method is the hot cut. Here, the edge of the glass is melted and cut through. The result is a kind of bead on the edge. This technique is often used for drinking glasses.
The production of colored glass is a world of its own. This is because the color must already be determined during the melting process. Colors are mixed in by adding various metal oxides or salts. However, these do not have the effect of ordinary color as in plastics, but change how the light passes through the glass. Iron oxide, for example, colors glass green. Copper oxide colors glass red or blue, depending on its composition. This glass is called through-colored. Of course, there are other ways of coloring glass. For example, by spraying glass surfaces, lacquering or silver nitrate for silver glass. Iridescent or lustrous coatings are also frequently used to achieve a pearlescent sheen. In addition to colors, other coatings are also of great interest to the glass industry. So-called easy-to-clean coatings make surfaces hydrophobic and therefore easier to clean. This effect is often offered for spectacle lenses. However, other coatings are also used to prevent reflections. A lot is also used today to filter out certain light rays. For example, specially coated glass plates are often used to block infrared or UV rays from the sun.
... in the application
We see window glass particularly often in everyday life. Every apartment and every house is fitted with them. They allow important sunlight to enter without leaving an open hole in the wall. The first finds of window glass from Pompeii show that window glass already existed in the 1st century. However, this glass was hardly transparent, as one side was always uneven. From the 2nd century onwards, smooth glass was developed on both sides, replacing the previous glass. As it was very expensive to produce, window glass was only used in villas or thermal baths. It was not until the 12th century in the Gothic period that glass was used on a larger scale, for example in churches.
In 1688, the rolled glass process was documented for the first time in Saint-Gobain. In this process, a quantity of glass is rolled flat on a large table. The end result was an evenly thick sheet of glass measuring around one by one and a half meters. But many other sectors also rely on glass. The automotive market, for example. Every new car is equipped with highly robust laminated safety glass. Electronics can hardly do without it either, so smartphones are equipped with specially hardened glass. One very important aspect for the kitchen is dishwasher resistance. Glass has a high heat tolerance, which is why hot water does not affect it. However, some coatings react sensitively to cleaning in the dishwasher and lose their effect. It is therefore important to check when buying whether the glass is colored on the inside or outside, or even colored through. Water resistance is also a great advantage. For example, for vases, drinks bottles or other containers. Other important areas of application are medicine, pharmacy, gastronomy, laboratories and cosmetics.
In 1688, the rolled glass process was documented for the first time in Saint-Gobain. In this process, a quantity of glass is rolled flat on a large table. The end result was an evenly thick sheet of glass measuring around one by one and a half meters. But many other sectors also rely on glass. The automotive market, for example. Every new car is equipped with highly robust laminated safety glass. Electronics can hardly do without it either, so smartphones are equipped with specially hardened glass. One very important aspect for the kitchen is dishwasher resistance. Glass has a high heat tolerance, which is why hot water does not affect it. However, some coatings react sensitively to cleaning in the dishwasher and lose their effect. It is therefore important to check when buying whether the glass is colored on the inside or outside, or even colored through. Water resistance is also a great advantage. For example, for vases, drinks bottles or other containers. Other important areas of application are medicine, pharmacy, gastronomy, laboratories and cosmetics.
... in art
The first beginnings of glass art date back to ancient Egypt. Around 1550 BC, blue and turquoise glass beads began to be cast to imitate the precious stones lapis lazuli and turquoise. In fact, however, the glass beads were not considered cheap imitations of the precious stones, but were regarded as valuable works of art and were worked with the same precision and care as their models. This is also confirmed by the fact that there was no word for glass in this era. The beads were simply referred to as artificial lapis lazuli or turquoise. Somewhat later, expensive hollow vessels were also made with thread glass.
Great achievements in the art of glassmaking were made above all in Venice. Bottles, bowls, beakers and jugs were produced for the most part. The discovered thin crystallo is used to produce net glass (a technique in which vessels are decorated with many glass threads) and ice glass (glass product that is rolled through splinters to achieve an optically cracked surface). However, despite all attempts at secrecy, a great deal of information about glass art reached Central and Northern Europe.
In the Baroque and Rococo periods, the art of cutting and polishing glass replaced Venetian glass. The themes of this technique were large, varied and diverse, but the most common were depictions of hunting and landscape scenes from the German region.
This changed abruptly with the advent of Art Nouveau. Largely inspired by floral oriental glass art, new organic forms were combined with old craftsmanship. Most of the creative glass creations were only produced in small quantities, and the famous Tiffany glass also originated from this artistic era. Fusing is a relatively new art form. The technique has actually existed for over 2000 years, but has been further improved in recent years. Here, different colored glass objects are often joined together using heat. This technique is often used for artistic decorative elements or window fronts.
Great achievements in the art of glassmaking were made above all in Venice. Bottles, bowls, beakers and jugs were produced for the most part. The discovered thin crystallo is used to produce net glass (a technique in which vessels are decorated with many glass threads) and ice glass (glass product that is rolled through splinters to achieve an optically cracked surface). However, despite all attempts at secrecy, a great deal of information about glass art reached Central and Northern Europe.
In the Baroque and Rococo periods, the art of cutting and polishing glass replaced Venetian glass. The themes of this technique were large, varied and diverse, but the most common were depictions of hunting and landscape scenes from the German region.
This changed abruptly with the advent of Art Nouveau. Largely inspired by floral oriental glass art, new organic forms were combined with old craftsmanship. Most of the creative glass creations were only produced in small quantities, and the famous Tiffany glass also originated from this artistic era. Fusing is a relatively new art form. The technique has actually existed for over 2000 years, but has been further improved in recent years. Here, different colored glass objects are often joined together using heat. This technique is often used for artistic decorative elements or window fronts.