Glass engraving
Encyclopedia
Glass engraving is a form of decorative glasswork that involves engraving a glass
surface or object. It is distinct from glass art in the narrow sense, which refers to moulding and blowing glass.
Glass engraving
encompasses a variety of techniques. One notable form is intaglio
work, with images and inscriptions cut into the surface of the glass through abrasion
. Glass engraving tools are therefore small abrasive wheels and drills, with small lathe
s often used. Engraving wheels are traditionally made of copper, with a linseed oil and fine emery powder mixture used as an abrasive.
Other forms of engraving are "stipple" and "drypoint
" in which the surface of the glass is abraded with the use of small diamond tipped burrs. The scratches and small dots made in this method can, in the hands of a skilled artist, be used to produce images of astonishing clarity and detail. Notable practitioners of this form are James Dennison Pender and the late Lawrence Whistler
who began a revival in England.
Sandblasting is yet another technique used in glass engraving. Abrasive is sprayed through a sandblasting gun on to glass which is masked up by a piece of stencil in order to produce inscriptions. This is more of a commercial glass engraving technique employed by companies like Crystal Galleries Ltd in order to engrave on crystal awards and glass awards.
Glass engraving is considered by many to be a dying art form. While this is far from accurate it is certainly a form that has seen its heyday come and go. Despite this there are still many glass engravers who are producing bold dynamic and aesthetically challenging artworks. In the UK one of the most notable artists is Alison Kinnaird MBE. Based in Scotland she splits her time between glass engraving and playing the traditional Scottish harp. In recent years these two apparently disparate mediums have been combined when she composed music to accompany her piece "Psalmsong" which is now installed in the Scottish Parliament building.
The UK currently has a Guild of Glass engravers based in London and lists a number of well respected glass artists as members, including some overseas. These include Katherine Coleman MBE, Sally Scott, Tracey Sheppard, Dominic Fonde and Ronald Pennell. It has an online gallery of members works with contact details for commissions and classes for people who want to learn about this art. A general exhibition is held every two years. This is currently at
the FitzWilliam museum in Cambridge from 15th June to 15th August. Local branches in the UK meet for joint practical work, tutorials, and hold regional exhibitions.
Meanwhile the Czech republic having produced many world class glass artists can lay claim to one of the very best, Jiri Harcuba. Every two years the Czech Republic hosts a conference aimed specifically at glass engravers. Other prolific notables around the world are Kevin Gordon in Australia and Lisabeth Sterling in the United States.
Some artists, such as Lesley Pyke, combine the art of hand engraving with sandblasting for not only collectible work, but bespoke pieces which become family heirlooms and every day commercial requirements such as corporate presentations and sporting awards.
An example of a relief illusion created from an intaglio cut form can be observed on this bowl engraved by Edmond Suciu, using the techniques of diamond and copper wheel engraving.
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
surface or object. It is distinct from glass art in the narrow sense, which refers to moulding and blowing glass.
Glass engraving
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
encompasses a variety of techniques. One notable form is intaglio
Intaglio
Intaglio are techniques in art in which an image is created by cutting, carving or engraving into a flat surface and may also refer to objects made using these techniques:* Intaglio , a group of printmaking techniques with an incised image...
work, with images and inscriptions cut into the surface of the glass through abrasion
Abrasion (mechanical)
Abrasion is the process of scuffing, scratching, wearing down, marring, or rubbing away. It can be intentionally imposed in a controlled process using an abrasive...
. Glass engraving tools are therefore small abrasive wheels and drills, with small lathe
Lathe
A lathe is a machine tool which rotates the workpiece on its axis to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, or deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation.Lathes are used in woodturning,...
s often used. Engraving wheels are traditionally made of copper, with a linseed oil and fine emery powder mixture used as an abrasive.
Other forms of engraving are "stipple" and "drypoint
Drypoint
Drypoint is a printmaking technique of the intaglio family, in which an image is incised into a plate with a hard-pointed "needle" of sharp metal or diamond point. Traditionally the plate was copper, but now acetate, zinc, or plexiglas are also commonly used...
" in which the surface of the glass is abraded with the use of small diamond tipped burrs. The scratches and small dots made in this method can, in the hands of a skilled artist, be used to produce images of astonishing clarity and detail. Notable practitioners of this form are James Dennison Pender and the late Lawrence Whistler
Laurence Whistler
Sir Alan Charles Laurence Whistler, CBE was a British poet and artist who devoted himself to glass engraving, on goblets and bowls blown to his own designs, and on large-scale panels and windows in churches and private houses...
who began a revival in England.
Sandblasting is yet another technique used in glass engraving. Abrasive is sprayed through a sandblasting gun on to glass which is masked up by a piece of stencil in order to produce inscriptions. This is more of a commercial glass engraving technique employed by companies like Crystal Galleries Ltd in order to engrave on crystal awards and glass awards.
Glass engraving is considered by many to be a dying art form. While this is far from accurate it is certainly a form that has seen its heyday come and go. Despite this there are still many glass engravers who are producing bold dynamic and aesthetically challenging artworks. In the UK one of the most notable artists is Alison Kinnaird MBE. Based in Scotland she splits her time between glass engraving and playing the traditional Scottish harp. In recent years these two apparently disparate mediums have been combined when she composed music to accompany her piece "Psalmsong" which is now installed in the Scottish Parliament building.
The UK currently has a Guild of Glass engravers based in London and lists a number of well respected glass artists as members, including some overseas. These include Katherine Coleman MBE, Sally Scott, Tracey Sheppard, Dominic Fonde and Ronald Pennell. It has an online gallery of members works with contact details for commissions and classes for people who want to learn about this art. A general exhibition is held every two years. This is currently at
the FitzWilliam museum in Cambridge from 15th June to 15th August. Local branches in the UK meet for joint practical work, tutorials, and hold regional exhibitions.
Meanwhile the Czech republic having produced many world class glass artists can lay claim to one of the very best, Jiri Harcuba. Every two years the Czech Republic hosts a conference aimed specifically at glass engravers. Other prolific notables around the world are Kevin Gordon in Australia and Lisabeth Sterling in the United States.
Some artists, such as Lesley Pyke, combine the art of hand engraving with sandblasting for not only collectible work, but bespoke pieces which become family heirlooms and every day commercial requirements such as corporate presentations and sporting awards.
An example of a relief illusion created from an intaglio cut form can be observed on this bowl engraved by Edmond Suciu, using the techniques of diamond and copper wheel engraving.