All About Glass
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This is your resource for exploring various topics in glass: delve deeper with this collection of articles, multimedia, and virtual books all about glass. Content is frequently added to the area, so check back for new items. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, send us your suggestion. If you have a specific question, Ask a Librarian at our Rakow Research Library.
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One traditional way of making flat glass was to open a bubble of molten glass as if to make a bowl. Using centrifugal force, the glassblower would spin the heated bowl and it would open into a flat disk. This piece is featured in the Museum's app, specifically in the kid-friendly version.
Beadwork like this was popular in 17th-century England. A wire frame was formed and decorated with thousands of seed beads. This piece is featured in the Museum's app, specifically in the kid-friendly version. Download the app from iTunes or the Android Marketplace to learn more about objects
Much like today, sports fans throughout history have enjoyed drinking from cups decorated with pictures of their heroes. This cup is decorated with pictures of famous gladiators. This piece is featured in the Museum's app, specifically in the kid-friendly version. Download the app from iTunes
This is a full-scale model of half an Egyptian glass furnace. The original is more than 3500 years old.
Listen as glass artist William Gudenrath, describes the techniques used to create "Untitled (White)" by American artist Josiah McElhany. American artist Josiah McElheny reproduced well-known modern designs in opaque white glass. He pays homage to classic 20th-century design.
The Venetians were clever glassmakers. They could make bowls, goblets, and decorative objects such as these citrus fruits, which were meant to be suspended as ornaments. This piece is featured in the Museum's app, specifically in the kid-friendly version. Download the app from iTunes or the
Traditional glass engravers use copper wheels mounted on a lathe. The wheels come in many shapes and sizes. An abrasive slurry drips onto the wheel as the engraver works on the design.
Listen as glass artist William Gudenrath describes the technique used to create the Corning Ewer, one of the finest pieces of cut glass in the entire Museum! The eggshell-thin colorless glass was covered with a green overlay. After cooling, the green was partly carved away to create the decoration.
Listen as curator Tina Oldknow, describes "Black Cube" by Czech artist Marian Karel. The sculpture Black Cube is not really a cube. Each side slightly bulges as though there is some sort of energy pushing the walls outward.
This unusually large piece of cameo glass is filled with action! The scene of warriors fighting is taken from a medieval Chinese story.
