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History
Although only fragments and isolated vessels survive, most
scholars agree that the first fusing and kiln casting was done
by the ancient Mesopotamians in the second millennium BC.
The early warm glass processes evolved from ceramics and
metalworking techniques, with glass taking its place alongside
gold and silver as a precious material.
Building on the Mesopotamian experience, the ancient Egyptians
continued the development of warm glass processes. By the
latter half of the second millennium BC, they were proficient in
both glass casting and fusing. In addition, they developed
the technique of working with glass rods (now called
lampworking) and were even capable of cold-working glass using
grinding and polishing.
From this early flowering, warm glass techniques were adapted
and improved by the Greeks and Romans, with the art reaching its
early zenith from the third century BC until the birth of
Christ. One significant development was the technique of
core-formed vessels, which involved wrapping or applying glass
to a core vessel form and then heating the item to produce
sophisticated mosaic or striated patterns.
The development of kiln-forming techniques was short-lived, due
to the emergence of the new technique of 'glassblowing'.
This approach, which involved using a long rod (called a
'blow-pipe) to manipulate glass that had been heated in a
furnace, was developed by the Romans. Compared to kiln
forming, it had the advantage of greater efficiency,
repeatability, and lower cost. It became the technique of
choice and rapidly spread throughout the Roman Empire and
beyond.
By the second or third century AD warm glass techniques were
virtually forgotten. They lay dormant until the 19th
century, when they were rediscovered in Europe. The growth
of the craft arena as a vehicle for artistic expression, coupled
with discoveries of ancient glass by archaeologists, let to
attempts to recreate the methods used by the ancients.
These efforts led to the rebirth of kiln forming and the second
flowering of the warm glass discipline.
One of the first centres for the rebirth of warm glass was the
pate de verre movement, which began during the late 19th century
in France. This movement developed techniques for casting
with a paste made from small glass particles.
Eventually, The Bullseye Glass Company, formed by three
glassblowers in 1974 in Oregon, played a significant role in the
development of the warm glass discipline. Bullseye led the
first major effort to research and develop a line of 'tested
compatible' glass made specifically for use in fusing. It
is due to their efforts that other glass manufacturers have
recognised the importance of warm glass by devoting resources
and support to glass artists.
For further information on warm glass art you may find the
following books of interest:-
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