Hand Blown Glass by Swedish Designers

Posted by MY INFO Monday, December 26, 2011 comments (0)

Hand blown is becoming more and more popular everyday especially from the big designer names in Sweden like Orrefors. They are very much a big addition to the larger popular department stores in the UK and US. A number of these works are hand blown glass pieces and are possibly some of the best pieces of glass art available today. Orrefors in particular have some exquisite pieces that are based on the rich history of Sweden.

Orrefors also have the Kosta Boda line which is possibly the oldest line of hand blown glass art from Sweden available today. It is rich, beautiful and available in a range of shapes, colours and can be a great decorative addition to the site. Kosta Boda has been developed since 1742 by retired army generals from the Swedish Army. The company itself has had a glittering history and has never always been involved in glass art. It started out as a general glass company manufacturing, glasses, windows, bottles etc.

Orrefors Kosta Boda works to some very old traditions but swear by them as they believes it works and they have had great success through this aswell. Their work can be viewed in a number of places starting with online from their own website or at museums and galleries across the world. They actually release their new designs every year in spring and autumn, which for a number of people especially collectors is quite an exciting time.

Collecting glass art can be a great past time as there are so many products out there to be hunted down. In fact Orrefors and Kosta Boda glassware are great investments as they quite easily retain their value if looked after well. It’s not too hard to find what you are looking for as in the 60s demand rose and opened up the market to the wider audience so now the internet is filled with portals available to buy to these glassworks.

Budget is less of a factor to worry about when purchasing glass works as they are relatively well priced even for the average consumer. There will certainly be a style out there to meet your creative eye or even a simple piece that will look great in your house and wow your guests immediately. Just be wary of who you buy from there are some retailers out there that are selling fake items for a bit of money here and there but is never a huge concern with most genuine retailers.

Decorative art glass can be a great value addition to a room in a house and has the ability to add a luxurious feel to a house. Orrefors is just one brand out there but there are many more that can offer some very well designed products like IItala, Georg Jensen, Rosenthal and many more. Remember glassware can also be a great gift item especially for anyone celebrating an anniversary as it can serve as a great momentum for the happy couple. Happy hunting for that brilliant piece.

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Christmas Ornaments - Searching For Venetian Glass

Posted by MY INFO Tuesday, November 29, 2011 comments (0)

It is not often that someone living in Arizona would fly to Europe to shop for Christmas ornaments. I was actually shopping for a few clients, one of them with Italian ancestry. Their lovely home in Paradise Valley needed those few extra touches that only a “hands on” visual could complete.

While in Venice shopping, it didn’t take long to have offers for a personal tour of the blown glass district on the island of Murano (I think they smell money wanting to be spent). The thought of unique Christmas ornaments became one of my focuses as well as blown glass art in general. The boat docked near the Rialto Bridge to pick me up and I was filled with the anticipation of visiting Murano, one of Europe’s famous islands, for the first time.

Unique Christmas ornaments were the last thing on my mind as I journeyed on cobblestone roads and walk ways to enter the fabulous galleries and on to the actual glass blowing experience. Famous artists are represented from all over the world. The glassblowing process intricate and time sensitive. On the second day of full out exploration I was ready to settle in on Christmas tree decorations again. Decorated Christmas trees are never complete without the reflection of light bouncing off blown glass Christmas ornaments. You may ask what makes Venetian and Murano blown glass so special? Part of the history will intrigue you I’m sure!

My experience was amazing. The cobblestone roads, historical buildings, galleries and especially the family run businesses were my favorites. I was told that the water in the channels stunk! The channels must have been recently treated or, possibly I was so in awe that, I was mesmerized past the smell. Even a gondola ride couldn’t prove otherwise. Such a treat, an art in and of itself!

Venice has a depth of history through and through. The city of Venice originated as a collection of lagoon communities banded together for mutual defense from the Lombard’s, Huns and other invading peoples as the power of the Western Roman Empire dwindled in northern Italy.

Yes, back to the blown glass history: Byzantine craft men played an important role in the development of Venetian glass. When Constantinople was sacked by the fourth Crusade in 1204, some fleeting artisans came to Venice. Even in a city renowned for its water, the many glass shops became a source of serious fires. Murano’s reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic ordered glass makers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291 because of the many fires and destruction to the city’s mostly wooden buildings.

More glass workers migrated when the Ottomans came to Constantinople in 1453, supplying Venice with still more glass workers. By the 16th century, the Venetian artisans had gained even greater control over the color and transparency of their craft and had mastered a variety of decorative techniques. Some of these techniques are still used today in glass Christmas ornaments and holiday decorations.

The Italians carefully guarded their glass secrets. By the Middle Ages Venice had become the heartbeat of glass making. It is reported that the city was once home to more than 8,000 glass artisans. Venice was a major trading port, and the city passed protectionist laws prohibiting the import of glass and glass blowers from elsewhere.

In Murano, not only was the threat of burning down one of Italy’s most prized cities diminished, so too was the likelihood that the secrets of glassblowing would be found out. A cloak of secrecy surrounded the island and craftsmen lived under the threat of death should their processes or concoctions leave the shores of Murano. Murano glass is still interwoven with Venetian glass history.

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