GLASS DECORATIVE
Decoration on Glass
Glass is used for a variety of purposes, both domestic and industrial, since it is versatile and flexible. In addition, it can be decorated in various ways; some techniques include cutting, engraving, gilding, and enameling. Below is a more detailed description of possible decorations on glass.
1. Adding glass to glass
This is one of the oldest methods of glass decoration and there are also various types of this method.
- Combed threads: Ancient Egyptians, and later glassmakers in Rome, the Middle East, Venice, Spain, and England, used this method on small core formed vessels. Threads of hot glass are would around the body of the piece and dragged across the surface for a wavy form. Then the piece is marvered.
- Trailed threads: At first, the process is similar to combed threads method described above. But the difference is that after the glass thread is trailed onto the surface, the piece is reheated without marvering. Romans, Venetians, and English used this method.
2. Painting on the surface
- Enameling: The colors in this method are permanently fused onto the object by re-firing it after color is applied.
- Cold-painting: This method is similar to enameling, but there is no re-firing. The colors are oil or lacquer based so that they do not require additional heating to stay on the surface. However, the drawback is that decoration can be damaged easily. Thus, this method is commonly used on very large projects that do not fit into the muffle kiln, or for pieces too fragile for re-firing.
- Gilding: Gold is used as paint, powder, or foil on the surface.
3. Incising the surface.
- Cutting: A Rotating wheel, lathe, or hand tools are used to cut glass.
- Engraving: A sharply pointed tool or a rotating wheel is used to cut or scratch the surface.
- Etching, or acid engraving: Hydrofluoric acid is applied on the surface of the glass to create a frosted surface. The area that will not be treated with acid is covered with acid-resistant substances such as wax or varnish for protection.
- Sandblasting: Object is first covered with a protective mask, and only the areas that will be decorated are left unprotected. Then, the whole piece is subjected to blasts of sand or powdered iron that are projected from a special gun. This creates a frosted look.
Another note to the third method: thicker glass can sustain deeper cuts, so that Ravenscroft’s invention of lead glass was critical in the development of more and more extravagant styles of cutting and engraving.
(To read more about glass, visit All About Glass and Glass Collecting.)
About the Author
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GLASS DECORATIVE Q & A
I have a decorative candle in this blue wine glass thing. Is it safe to burn a candle in a glass container?
Who would make such a ridiculous candle that it’s dangerous to burn? I’m pretty sure the hot wax will break the glass, won’t it?
The only way it might (and not even then for sure) break the glass is if the flame is hitting directly on the glass. Hot wax will have no effect at all. The glass will get warm to the touch from the radiant heat, but it is even all over so no great stress on the glass which is what causes cracks. Don’t dump the hot glass into cold water if you think you have a reason to. An oil candle, where the wick floats or sits in a pool of liquid oil can get hotter. I have not heard of a wax candle in a glass getting hot enough to melt into a TV.
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