A Short History Of Glass Engraving

Includes a pictorial survey of more than 100 color images illustrative of the wide variety of objects and styles of glassmaking as an art.

The history of glass and glass decoration extends back at least to the ancient Egyptians, who made small vessels of dark glass and decorated them with glass threads of contrasting colors. Occasionally glass vessels were also engraved on the lapidary's wheel. Today, the ancient art and craft of decorating glass continues to flourish among artists and crafters attracted by its combination of artistic beauty and skilled craftsmanship. Unfortunately, until the publication of this book, there were few if any practical instruction guides for beginners in this exciting and deeply rewarding field. A well-known British artist and glass engraver, Barbara Norman has exhibited her glass widely and has won numerous awards. In this clear, profusely illustrated guide, she offers a comprehensive introduction to the history, materials, tools, and techniques of glass engraving and other forms of glass decoration. After introductory chapters on the development of glass, methods of glassmaking, decorating techniques and choosing glass, the author discusses various engraving techniques in detail: diamond point engraving, drill engraving, and copper-wheel engraving. Aspiring glasscrafters will also find excellent coverage of such interesting techniques as gold engraving under glass, painting glass, and applying glass to glass: mosaics, glass collage, glass fusing and glass forming. Most of the methods do not require a studio or workshop and call for relatively inexpensive materials. Ideal for the novice or moderately experienced glassworker, this well-written, easy-to-follow guide will enable glasscrafters to bring decorative beauty and artistic flair to glasses, tumblers, bowls, vases, plates — almost any glass object. Beautiful engraved or decorated glass is perfect for personalized gift-giving or for adding a note of elegance to any home.

Carefully surveys the various schools of engraving throughout the last five hundred years, describing processes and methods as well as the accomplishments of individual artists

In this book, Antonín Langhamer brings to life the whole depth and breadth of Czech glass achievement. The book covers its entire history, not only artistic, but technical, economic and commercial. His exhaustive glossary at the back is more than just a place to look up terms, but an illuminating narrative on every aspect of glass, from ancient times to the present. The work is illustrated with lush photographs created by outstanding photographers who specialise in capturing the breathtaking beauty unique to glass. In Langhamer's narratives on early times, readers will find fascinating parallels with the behaviour of modern people, nations and industries. Despite its early origins, Bohemian glass took considerable time to reach prominence. Beginning in obscurity, Bohemian glassmakers produced wares that for a long time were good, but not exceptional. Bohemia's history has been turbulent, and readers can draw inspiration from the ingenuity and persistence of those glassmakers who succeeded against overwhelming odds. While World War II was raging, in the midst of shortages of every imaginable material and fuel, a Czech entrepreneur built himself a little glass furnace. Raw materials were hard to come by, so he made do by re-melting crushed bottles. This book is full of many stories of human valour and weakness, the development of technical and artistic marvels, legal harassment, sex discrimination, industrial espionage, and the triumph of ambition over adversity. But it also tells of ordinary people doing their ordinary work throughout their ordinary lives, and thereby achieving something magnificent. Glass affects everyone's life, and everyone's life, in some small way, affects the evolution of glass. Readers will never see glass in the same way again.

Written by a team of experts, this book tells the story of all the major developments in the history of glass from its beginnings in Pre-Roman times. The major styles of glass and the techniques used to make it are traced from the third millennium BC through the Roman era and the Dark Ages, into medieval times and the magnificent stained glass works of that time. The rise of Venice as the pre-eminent glass-making centre during the Renaissance and its subsequent influence on the glass industry for the next five centuries is described. The development of the heavier lead glass in the eighteenth century paved the way for new styles of decoration on glass, including cutting and engraving. The fashion for Art Nouveau heralded the modern era of the twentieth century where functionalism and simplicity was favoured, while the use of glass in architecture and industry has become more and more widespread with the development of new techniques. The authoritative, clearly written text and lavish illustrations make this book a visually exciting presentation of all kinds of glassware as well as an invaluable work of reference for all students and lovers of the decorative arts.

Highly readable, profusely illustrated survey relates technology to history of every age: food production, metalworking, mining, steam power, transportation, electricity, and much more. 354 black-and-white illustrations. 1961 edition.