This article briefly goes over the history of Egyptian glass. They were one of the first recorded in history to make glass for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes.
Lucky for us, many Egyptian glass works are preserved well, because of their culture of burying the worldly goods of the dead and the dry climate that prevents decay.
Egyptians were very ahead of the game regarding glass making; they knew before 3000 BC how to use glaze techniques. In the early periods, they created glass pieces modeled after stone or ceramic objects. They also created glass beads, which were highly prized, almost as much as gold and precious stones. Egyptians were also active in the trade of glass objects so that they could spread their techniques and style.
Glass vessels in the round, hollow form that we know appear only after 1500 BC, and it is thought that the conquest of Near Eastern lands triggered the sudden appearance of glass vessels in Egypt.
One common method of glassmaking used by Egyptians was "Cire perdue." The piece was modeled in wax, and then covered with clay. Then the wax would be melted and poured away, so that the gap could be re-filled with molten glass.
Another, most common method was molting glass on a core. A core (made of clay, mud, or straw) in the shape of the desired piece was formed on a metal rod. Then, the core was dipped into molten glass. When the walls of the core with added glass became thick, the object was marvered and annealed. Lastly, the core was removed, leaving a rough interior.
Sky blue and dark blue were some popular colors for glass in Egypt, together with grey, yellow, white, and orange. In later periods, red, green, and violet also appeared and added more variety for the tastes of the wealthy.
Unfortunately, Egyptian glassmaking depended greatly on political circumstances as it frequently does in any other country; thus, between 1200BC and 900BC when the country was in decline, there is little development in glass production.
Later under Alexander the Great and the city of Alexandria, where many Egyptian craftsmen worked, the glass industry flourished again. Alexandria became a center of glassmaking, and Greek culture is also reflected in its style.
In 27 BC Egypt was eventually conquered by the Romans, but its glassmaking style remained for a time after that. Through Roman conquests and trade Egyptian (Alexandrian) glassware was exported throughout the empire.
Interested in beautiful yet practical glassware? Find out more about exquisite hand blown glass vases, bowls, paperweights.
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