Handmade glass

Glass is a fascinating material and, made by hand, it can be especially interesting. At a high temperature glass becomes molten and inherently flexible and can be shaped by pressing or blowing.

The technique of blowing glass has been practised for about 2000 years. First developed in what is now the Middle East, the technique spread through the Roman Empire in the early centuries of the first millennium.

Glass production continued to be practised widely in Europe with notable centres developing their own traditions in Venice, the German states and Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).

In the late Seventeenth century lead crystal was developed in the United Kingdom to much acclaim, whilst the Nineteenth century saw innovation shift to north America when techniques of mass production using pressing techniques were invented.

The latter part of the Twentieth century saw three significant changes in glass production: the rise of the Studio glass movement in the USA and Europe; the decrease of bulk hand production of glass in the West; and the great strides in developing glass as a technical product.

Hand made glass used in a domestic context continues to strike a balance between the demands of practicality and of beauty. Plain and simple glass for every day use has its own attraction, whilst there are many opportunities to develop decorative techniques. These two demands challenge designers today to create products and give users a chance to enjoy the variety that glass has to offer.

See FAQs for information about LSA’s handmade glass.