Topic: A glass horror story, not for those of a nervous disposition!

[glassobsessed]

My father has just discovered that a Peter Layton bowl he bought some years ago had suffered from spontaneous cracks developing, I believe due to stresses that can develop when an item cools after manufacture (although his cat looks guilty). These stresses can manifest themselves many years later. :cry:

This is not a criticism of the maker, unfortunately it can happen to a variety of glass and with no warning.

Here are some photos of the offending article, you can see where the cracks have run through the body of the bowl but have not affected the glass chips that were used in the decoration (and lie on the outside surface).

Boo hoo, John.

[jonchellycain]

ohhh we had that happen i was sat in the living room and actaully heard something go, went into the dining room and there was one of my vases with a big crack down it fortunitly not anything expensive but still one i liked

[Anne]

Had the same happen with a pressed glass cakestand, cracked straight across, and that was without the stand screw being tightened. It's always sad to see beautiful glass break like that though.

[Frank]

This can often be caused by factors in the environment it is kept. Any cased glass is at more of a risk. While it is most likely the release of stresses that have been there since manufacture it would normally require an external influence to cause the release. But it can happen spontaneously (i.e. no obvious external event, although their probably was one.)

Factors to avoid:

1. Storing in an airtight (or near so) cabinet. (Ensure ventilation holes at top and bottom)
2. Exposure to sunlight. Particularly thin beams of sunlight.
3. Heat from spotlights (Use LED spots, or fluorescent lighting if you can stand the effect on colours)
4. Immersing in a bowl of warm water, or under a hot tap. (Use tepid soapy water, stand glass on a cloth and bring the water to the glass with a cloth/sponge.)
5. Stubbing out cigars, or resting cigar/cigarettes on it.
6. Applying localised heat.
7. Polishing out scratches etcetera and spending long enough on one area to cause it to warm up.
8. Serving hot food in.

I have seen cased glass breakages caused by all of the above. Guilty of #8.

[obscurities]

A few years back, at an auction I ran, I picked up a large Italian made duck that weighed maybe 8 lbs (in a floating position without an extended neck) I picked the figure up by the body to turn it over and examine the underside. From simple pressure applied by my hands in the right places, and I was being careful with it, it made a noise and exploded into about 4 large pieces and cut my hands very badly.....  I have never viewed glass the same since that occurred....  The "energy" stored in that piece of glass was unbelievable...  It literally "blew apart" as I rotated it. I of course, thought it had slipped and instinctually tried to grab it before I realized it was in parts. 

Craig

[jonchellycain]

i had a similar thing happen with a really gorgeous large IOW mushroom paperweight, it had a little grit feel on the top and i just rubbed my thumb over the top once and it exploded in my hand, fortunitly my little lad was over the other side of the room and i managed to get off with no cuts at all. I was quite astounded the force in which it went, infact even now i find it hard to believe it didnt have some find of explosive in it.
michelle

[glassobsessed]

I feel faint...

Large panes of plate glass overhead in shopping centers, hotels and offices have concerned me ever since reading an article on their spontaneous 'failure' (ever seen a film called the Omen?).

John

[Tina]

A woman who we later discovered had stolen big time from my invalid mother, was handling one of mum's favourite big pieces days after she died and it literally exploded in her hand.

There were glass shards in every corner of the room and she was white faced and shaking like a leaf!

Hilarious because I'm sure she thought my late mum did it.... and until now, there was me thinking the same! .... :chky:

[Anne]

I feel faint...

Large panes of plate glass overhead in shopping centers, hotels and offices have concerned me ever since reading an article on their spontaneous 'failure' (ever seen a film called the Omen?).

John

This happened in the shopping arcade in Lancaster a couple of years ago - just cracked and fell - very scary!

[obscurities]

I am beginning to feel like I need protective clothing when I walk around in my house.....  Like a flak jacket or something......