Also called kiln-worked glass,it is a distinct process
of forming glass using heat and gravity. Amongst some
other methods are pate-de-verre and glass-blowing.
Pieces of glass are cut(’blanks’)to shape
and placed over moulds and fired in a kiln.
Various oxides and colouring agents are used,melting
either within or on the surface of the glass.The process
is permanent.
Tall containers such as vases and wine glasses are
beyond the province of this process of forming glass-these
are made by blowing out molten glass.
Fused glass has a venerable history-the earliest objects
found are those made by the Egyptians and Romans around
2000 BC.The use of this process fell into abeyance and
only reappeared with any significance around 1935.
This resurgence was led primarily by small groups of
glass artists in Czechoslovakia and a little later in
the United States.
The recent renaissance of stained glass led by extension
to a great expansion and interest in this field,and
many glass artists are now producing dynamic fused works
which are greater in size and complexity than hitherto
known. |
