| Glass art is such
an ancient art-form that as of date, its origin is
unknown. One theory suggests that stained glass art
probably developed from jewelry-making techniques or
from mosaic work. The reason why glass was a popular
medium in mosaic and jewelry may lie in the unique
chemical properties of this material which is
essentially a product of a chemical reaction that
occurs when sand is subjected to fire. Glass also
tends to reflect light, even though light may pass
through it as well. This gives glass its shiny
jewel-like appearance.
In ancient times,
artists learned to color glass by using certain
minerals like specific oxides and salts. A gold
metallic salt could, thereby, be used to make a
piece of glass appear crimson in color. Cobalt could
render glass blue, while copper could be used to
create green or even red tints. Gradually, stained
glass techniques became popular in the construction
of churches. Church windows were often stained to
depict scenes from the bible or Christian themes and
beliefs. This became the practice around the tenth
century and such scenes are still visible on stained
glass windows today. However, art glass supplies are
so expensive in modern times, because of the
popularity of the art form and the use of chemical
staining agents, that most churches rarely
commission such works now.
As stained glass
gradually evolved through time, it slowly lost its
specialty and after the Renaissance period, this
once cherished art-form was even used in residences.
And the presence of art glass was no longer
restricted to windows since the birth of fused art
glass. Fused art glass was another common product
that became available as glass is easy to fuse and
only requires heating in a kiln oven to reach
melting point.
It was not unusual
to see an art glass clock or art glass lamps in
homes. Such objects are also available today for the
art-glass aficionado. Vintage Italian art glass
pieces such as lamps, perfume bottles, paperweights
and vases were however still exquisitely designed
and made beautiful objets d’art. These are still
popular with collectors and a well-crafted piece can
demand a huge price in a collectors’ market.
Art glass in India
is a relatively recent development in the art scene.
Though there is evidence to suggest that stained
glass pieces were used in ancient Indian jewelry,
the product did not gain popularity in the area of
windows till much later.
Stained glass art
in India is believed to have been developed in
Gujarat sometime during the eighteenth century. The
style of art was probably introduced into Indian
society by Chinese merchants. Gold embellishments
are common features of Indian art glass. Precious
and semi-precious stones were also used in that era
to decorate the art works. Indian art themes depict
the Radha-Krishna stories that form an important
part of Indian mythology. However, ancient art glass
creations from the Victorian period also made their
way to India in the form of decorative objects that
were brought to the country during the British
occupancy. |
