Decorative Art Glass for Homes

The prime property of glass for which it was sought after was providing light indoors. Early human beings quickly discovered that if one side was etched with silver, it would remove the translucent property of the material and instead one could watch his/her reflection. Major discovery of this property led in designing vast mirrors for the elites.

Glass can cause illusions and give an impression of vastness. Lining wall with mirrors gives a delusion of extended space in buildings and they look artistic compared to concrete walls. Along with beads, glass is also used in adorning costumes for all the glittering it provides when interfaced with light.

A magnificent material, glass crystals are amazingly transparent and are used in tableware, Glittering crystals are used for various purposes including jewelry and figurines. 

Essential techniques; entrance and hall - front doors and windows, lanterns, borrowed light; sitting room and conservatory - cassette doors, table lamp, fire-screen, quarter lights, patio doors, clock, wall lights; kitchen and dining room - pendant lamp, festive table and window decorations, storage jars, cupboard doors, table centerpiece, glasses set; bedroom - wall and triple mirrors, dressing table group, baby's mobile; bathroom - tiles, shower screen, container set.

A home without crystal and glass is incomplete. Many forms of glass can be utilized to adorn entrance, hall, front doors, rooms and windows. Beautiful chandeliers can set the mood. Bright light fixtures hanging in wall brackets can light the room.  Techniques to enhance the rooms include table lamps, floor lamps and pendant lamps, classic settings as table centerpieces, wine flutes and tableware.

Stained glass was invented as early as 11^th century but its local use at home did not happen till 19^th century. The creators and users of stained glass was limited to religious cantonments and cathedrals. You can easily witness the huge skylights in museums and light reflecting from old churches of Europe creating magic in day light.

The filtering of light from a colorful stained glass window produces trance, which explains why it was used in religious buildings. It was also used while meditating, like colored neon lights it produced light that was capable of creating rapture in audience and reverie in making ambience.

It was not till 18^th century when Louis Comfort Tiffany discovered wonderful colors of stained glass that would decorate the interiors of castles and huge mansions. His masterpiece creations were restricted to the elite class of society because they were handmade and very expensive, such opulence and extravaganza that only Royals could afford.

Glass making in Victorian era touched great heights. The technique of coloring glass was getting sophisticated. Soon cathedral windows would come in stained glass, the color, texture, form and mode of treatment of glass was so good that there is not much of upgradation or modification done in the modern era. In other words, the glass that is produced in contemporary times is no superior to the handmade glass made by glassmakers of those era.

Classical influences to these designs were given by the British glad manufacturers, Thomas Webb & Sons, John Walsh and Stuart.

Frank Lloyd Wright Art Glass

Frank Lloyd Wright’s special twist to glass was the spectacular designs that filled the windows and doors and the surroundings with the wonderful ambience of light. Abstractions of the patterns that endowed glass the power of lighting, blurring the demarcation between interior and the outdoors.

His contribution to the Darwin D. Martin House complex were tremendous. Iconic designs comprising of shimmering motifs and patterns of unique outline were adorned in a breath taking panorama of beauty. The entire house with its skylights, windows and doors contained almost 400 pieces of his signature art glass decor. Approximately three quarters of the art glass has been removed but some efforts of renovation are going on. These iridescent creations tell us a story of his fascination and discovery of artistry with glass.