Topic: Ruby bowl - can this be Isle of Wight or is it Murano? ID = Murano

[Paul S.]

thanks Neil  -  so covered by a clear casing then.         I meant to say ………  heavy due to thickness, rather than any lead content  -  and forgot
Lead as an ingredient is usually only present in glass that is intended for cutting - apparently it helps with the cutting.

[neil53]

Hello Paul, I presume your reference to lead only being used in glass for cutting refers to modern glass or Murano glass only?  Certainly late 17th and 18th century English glass was made with lead regardless of whether it was destined for the cutter's wheel.  Best wishes, Neil

[chopin-liszt]

Lead glass is not only easier to cut, it is also easier to work when it is a hot metal.
However, it is more expensive than other sorts.

Casing over silver foil would be very tricky, the hot metal would need to be quite cool to prevent the silver burning and reacting with it.

That gives rise to opaque blues and yellows appearing.
You can see that happening in earlier pieces of IoWSG Azurene.

You don't see that happening in these (earlier) Murano pieces. 

[Paul S.]

Hi Neil  -  you're very correct, of course, re the lead content of late C17 and C18 glass, a great deal of which wasn't cut anyway  -  my slipshod wording was really meant in connection with C19 and C20 glass  ……………  must learn to be more precise.    thanks for putting me right.