People In Glass Houses
- Tracy Skeates
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
I inherited a love of glass from my late father. I never did ask him why he loved it so much, but I would hazard a guess that it was because it’s fascinating as well as being beautiful.
Until my questioning brain delved deeper, I remember thinking “who even thought to heat up sand in the first place!?” The answer was; Mother Nature, that’s who. No doubt ancient man came across a glass-like object in the sand and thought “hmmm interesting”. Let me explain….When lightening hits sand, a fulgurite is formed which is basically a glass fossilised lightening strike. As an aside, I also found out that glass is not classified as a solid (although it certainly feels VERY solid to me when I’m carting it around) but no, it’s neither solid, liquid or gas but an amorphous solid that allows molecules within it to continue moving around. Interesting eh?
The first man-made glass was produced in Mesopotamia in around 3500 BC with glass blowing as we know it invented in Syria in the first century BC. The invention of glassblowing flourished during the Roman Empire, which spread glassmaking throughout its territories. Venice remained a centre of excellence until the Government of the day forced all glass furnaces to relocate to the neighbouring island of Murano. This was not only to prevent the potential spread of fire in the densely populated city, but also to safeguard valuable and secret glassmaking techniques.
The rest of Europe eventually caught up and developed their own unique techniques and styles, providing rich pickings for lovers of glass. Whether you have a preference for the ornate Venetian glass, engraved glass, heavily cut glass, gilded, pressed glass or glass sculpture, there is something for everyone.
I myself favour opalescent French glass and have a small collection, which even includes beads. I always find it hard to part with if I buy it to sell.
I also have a soft spot for Bohemian glass. I don’t personally own any, it’s more of a guilty pleasure and something I enjoy buying, looking at and then selling.
Tracy Skeates
Comments