Listen as curator Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk describes this tazza with Medici Arms. This tazza is enameled with the coat of arms of the Medici family combined with crossed keys and a papal tiara, suggesting that they were made for a member of the church, most probably either Pope Leo X or Pope

Listen as curator Tina Oldknow describes Chess Set, created by Italian glass artist Gianni Toso. In this whimsical, yet functional, chess set, a Jewish rabbi and a Roman Catholic bishop (the two kings) join a group of holy men and women holding Judeo-Christian symbols of faith, including crosses,

Listen as curator Jane Shadel Spillman describes glass of HW Stiegel, produced by the American Flint Glass Manufactory of Henry William Stiegel. Stiegel opened a glasshouse in Manheim, PA, in 1764. He was originally a manufacturer of window and bottle glass, but his main interest was fine lead

Listen as curator Tina Oldknow, describes "Cargo Seed" by Swedish artist Bertil Vallien. Cargo Seed reflects Bertil Vallien's interest in Sweden's Viking heritage. He uses boats as a metaphor for the journey (both physical and psychological), time, exploration, and self

Listen as curator, Tina Oldknow, describes "Marquiscarpa" by American artist Richard Marquis. Unsatisfied with the limited techniques practiced and taught in American studio glass in the 1960s, studio glass pioneer Richard Marquis went to the Venini glassworks on Murano in 1969. There, he

Listen as glass artist William Gudenrath describes the techniques used by Věra Lišková to create Anthem of Joy in Glass. Lišková was a talented designer who pioneered the use of borosilicate glass for sculpture. Traditionally, borosilicate glass is used for making laboratory wares for scientists,

Listen as curator Jane Shadel Spillman describes this desk set produced by Boston and Sandwich Glass Company. The problems involved in pressing glass were summarized by a glassmaker in 1849: "If an overplus of metal [glass] be gathered, it thickens the article throughout; but if too little, it

Learn more about "California Loop Series" by artist Marvin Lipofsky.

Listen as curator, Tina Oldknow, describes "Shirts, Cherries, and Snowflakes, of Course" by American artist, Ginny Ruffner.

Listen as curator Tina Oldknow, describes "Red Pyramid" by Czech artists Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová. Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová pioneered, explored, developed, and defined glass as a medium for sculpture. Their art explores ideas about light, space,