Glass is a uniform amorphous solid substance, produced from viscous molten material is cooled rapidly to below its glass transition temperature, with out time for a crystal lattice to form.
Used for windows, containers and decorative objects, the most familiar form known is the silica based glass. A great many household object are produced from glass, drinking glasses, dessert dishes, bowls and decorative objects, light bulbs, picture tubes for computer and television screens, shelves, hand basins for bathrooms, the list goes on. Not to mention, that by modification, it can be heat resistant, Pyrex ovenware for example, and of course laboratory equipment. Add to that, its optical uses, glass indeed is a very useful substance.
Transparent in its pure form, glass is strong, hard wearing an essentially insert biologically inactive material, which can be formed with very smooth and impervious surfaces. However, without modification with the addition of compounds or heat treatment, it is brittle and will easily break into extremely sharp shards.
Appearing to be colourless to the eye when it is thin, natural glass can been seen to be bluish green when slightly thicker. The use of metals and metal oxide compounds during manufacture will change its colour, producing brilliant hues of red, green and blue, the colours of gem stones. When glass is cut it becomes a wonderful reflector of light, producing a magnitude of colour when moved.
Egyptians produced small jars and bottles, by using the core form method, wrapping molten glass round a metal bar. They also formed coloured glass rods, which were used create coloured glass beads used for decorations.
During the first century BC, many glass centres were established around the Mediterranean, were free and mould glass blowing were discovered.
The Roman Empire brought with is more techniques and developments, and as it spread through Europe, so did the popularity of glass.
Artists using glass during this period produced Bohemian and Byzantium glass designs, they were mainly based in Alexandria and the Rhine Valley, which were very ornate and included such processes as enamelling, staining and gilding.
Use of glass declined after the fall of the Roman Empire, not regaining its popularity again until the 7th century. Object made from glass have been found on the island of Torcello near Venice, made during the 7th and 8th centuries. This forms an important link between that city and Rome. Breakthroughs in glass production came about in 1000AD, when in Northern Europe, when a technique was discovered to make glass from potash, obtained from wood ashes. Venice was the centre of glass making from the 14th century, developing a good export trade in dinner ware, mirrors and other luxury items.
Examples of glass furniture designs can be found at the following web sites:
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