Hand Blown Cranberry Glass With Tear Drop Detailing
Hand-blown cranberry glass, celebrated for its rich ruby-red hue, has a captivating history that blends artistry, science, and commerce.
This particular piece is hand-blown and retains the original pontil marks at the base. It features a teardrop splash design forming the stem, giving the impression of a goblet holding the teardrop shape, while the top gracefully flares out to the rim.
The cranberry color, like many examples, showcases a beautiful gradient, transitioning from dark to light as it ascends.
Ancient Beginnings: The earliest examples of red glass date back to ancient Roman times, when Roman glassmakers discovered that adding gold or copper to molten glass could produce various shades of red. However, this technique was not specifically intended to create what we now recognize as cranberry glass.
Medieval and Renaissance Periods: The art of creating red glass experienced several revivals during these periods, particularly in Venice, where Murano glassmakers experimented with gold chloride and other colorants to achieve vibrant red glass.
17th Century: The modern method for making cranberry glass, involving gold chloride, was perfected in the late 17th century. This process was rediscovered and refined by Andreas Cassius, a German physician and alchemist, who published a treatise on the subject.
Hand-blown cranberry glass, with its deep, rich red color, represents a unique fusion of art and science. Its history spans centuries, reflecting the evolution of glassmaking techniques and the enduring appeal of finely crafted objects. Whether used functionally or displayed as a decorative piece, cranberry glass continues to captivate those who appreciate the fine art of glassmaking.
This piece is signed on the base by EXMAN.
No chips or damage.