History of the ancient Egyptian glass

This article is short on the history of the Egyptian glass. They were one of the first recorded in the history to glass for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes.

Luckily for us, many Egyptian glass factories are kept well, because of their culture of the worldly goods of the dead and the dry climate, which decay buried.

Egyptians were very ahead of the game relating to glass manufacturing; they knew how to enamel techniques used for 3000 BC. In the early periods, they made glass pieces of stone or ceramic objects modeled. They also made glass beads, which are very, almost as much as gold were valued and precious stones. Egyptians were also active in the trade of glass objects so they spread their techniques and style could.

Glass vessels in the round, hollow form that we know only appear after 1500 BC, and it is thought that the conquest of the countries in the Middle East the sudden appearance of glass vessels in Egypt.

A common method of glassmaking was used by the Egyptians "Cire perdue". The piece was modeled in wax, and then covered with clay. Would then be melted the wax and cast away, so that the gap would with molten glass re-filled.

Another, the most common method was Rui glass on a core. A kern (made of clay, straw or mud) in the shape of the desired piece formed on a metal rod. Then, the core was immersed in melted glass. When the walls of the core with added glass was thick, the object was marvered and calcined. Finally, the core is removed, leaving a rough Interior.

Sky blue and dark blue were some popular colors for glass in Egypt, along with gray, yellow, white and orange. In later periods, red, green and violet also appeared and more variation for the taste of the rich added.

Unfortunately, Egyptian glassmaking depended strongly political circumstances because it often in another country; So, between 900BC 1200BC, and when the country was in decline, there is little development in glass production.

Later under Alexander the great and the city of Alexandria, where many Egyptian craftsmen worked, the glass industry flourished again. Alexandria became a centre of glassmaking, and Greek culture is also reflected in the style.

In 27 BC Egypt was eventually conquered by the Romans, but his glassmaking style stayed for a time thereafter. By means of Roman conquests and trade was Egyptian (Alexandrian) glassware exported throughout the Empire.

Beautiful and practical glassware bought? Read more about exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, paperweights.

View the original article here

History of ancient Roman glass

The term "Roman glass" is a very broad, generic term, and refers to a certain age under Roman rule as opposed to a particular subject area. The Roman Empire was so great that there are many different styles co-exist within his empire, although a unifying "Roman" theme can be recognized in the pieces.

In the 1st century BC, was glass blowing invented in Syria. In the same period, the Roman Empire was founded, and by means of his conquests and trade then spread it a unique culture.

Alexandria and Syria exported their glassware to Rome, from which the works were then to a Roman colonies in Europe. Rome was so critical in spreading the art of glassmaking to Europe.

In the 1st century after Christ, large-scale glass production took place in Syria, Palestine and Alexandria. A Syrian glassmaker named Ennion left even his name on his glass work. Generally, Syrian glass blowers often produced utilitarian glassware, while the Alexandrian glass blowers focused on luxury objects. Many also moved to Italy and other Roman colonies, and glass houses spread quickly through Europe. Cologne would soon a glassmaking Centre just as important as Alexandria. The styles of these different locations were very similar to each other.

Like this started the Roman period an unprecedented flowering in the glass industry, where even the ordinary people have access to glassware began. Some household glass types that often used were janus flasks, which the head of persons in a flask and victory cups, with laurels and inscriptions for decoration. Mirrors and windows were also produced using glass.
Artistic glass also continued to be produced. For example, that were cage cups, bowls or cups with rounded sides, were created. These headings had pierced decorations attached by Struts. This decoration is not fused to the surface; Instead, the entire object made from a solid block of glass by under-cutting. Because the process is so complex, surviving pieces are very rare and difficult to reproduce even today.

After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the glass industry also suffered a dramatic decline. With arts and crafts, there is a general tendency to follow the up and downs of politics. This trend is even greater in more expensive types of art. So, while still utilitarian glassware produced artistic glassware, of course, lacked question as a political and economic conditions were unstable and people could not afford to buy luxury.

Beautiful and practical glassware bought? Read more about exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, paperweights.

View the original article here