Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Malta Glass => Topic started by: glassobsessed on June 12, 2010, 09:48:54 PM
-
I arranged to buy this stunning Mdina Crizzle Stone this morning. I am still in a state of shock/disbelief/rapture. I always hoped I might find one for sale but thought the likelyhood ranged from slim to improbable.
The Stone measures 28cm wide and 19cm tall (unsigned).
All I need now, is two more to make a proper display. ;D
John
-
:dance:
Suzy xxx
-
Well done :kissy: :hiclp: :hiclp:
-
:hiclp: What an amazingly gorgeous piece of glass!@ :mrgreen:
-
Only Michael Harris made them at Mdina, they were very difficult - especially when you consider how short a time he had had actually working with hot glass (by the time he left, only about 3 years, given the time he took out to get set up there) and that he had no "teacher" as such.
The wide shape was achieved using centrifugal force - spinning the hot glass on the end of the rod.
The crizzle effect is produced by shocking the surface of that gather of glass into cracking in cold water, then introducing sliver chloride salts into the cracks before further casing and blowing.
Iridescence appears on the surface if the gather "escapes" from the rod at some point, and the silver vapours escape from the inside of the glass and sublimate on the surface. Sometimes an electric blue-y sheen can arise inside a layer of casing from these vapours too.
The vapours are very toxic, and it's tragic to think that this beautiful effect may well have contributed to his early death from emphysema.
-
I have been wondering about that aspect of his glass making for a while, that his art may have shortened his life. Makes you realise that although the current obsession with health and safety is sometimes trying, the legislation is necessary.
John
-
Makes you realise that although the current obsession with health and safety is sometimes trying, the legislation is necessary.
We went to Dartington a couple of weeks ago and Keith was surprised that the only compulsory PPE was specs and possibly steel-capped boots. Otherwise it was bare arms and legs, and in one case actually regularly passing behind someone in a fairly restricted space while carrying a gather on a rod. It was very interesting to watch factory style hand production though, which did include computerised stem drawing. We (read I) spent longer there than we'd expected.
-
oh my. That is very very beautiful. :clap:
m
-
John, now could you confirm your full address? do you have any dogs? major locks bolts on your doors window and what time do you go to bed and get up.. oh and neighbourhood watch is it any good in your street??? >:D >:D :24:
absolutly stunning you lucky wotsit
michelle :mrgreen:
-
Michelle, I have hardly left the house since I agreed to buy it, when I do it goes with me. I carry it from room to room as I move about the place and take it to bed with me when I sleep.
I think this is quite reasonable and justifiable behaviour.... ;D
The men in white coats will be coming for me soon but I have to cover the walls and ceilings in silver foil first.
John
-
I take it that means you'll be bringing it here with you?
good, good, good, I shall be able to substitute mine for yours while you're asleep...... >:D
(now, where did I put the rohypnol......)
-
Yep, looking forward to a photo of the two of them together, plus they might get ideas while we are not looking and produce offspring.... :D
John
-
even better, you will be at sue's (lots more Mdina) and you have just admitted you wont be looking all the time, i will have to bring a truck me thinks with all Sue's stash aswell
>:D mmmmwwwahhahaha >:D
aaahhhhh little tinie tiny mini baby crizzles how cute would they be.
I think your behaviour is very reasonable Jonh if it where mine i would be in the corner of a room with wide crazy eyes (may be clockwork orange style) and bear traps surrounding me, holding the crizzle like it where a new born baby
I think the men in white coats may be busy with for a while before they get to you John :chky:
michelle
-
I think I still have a few white coats in my wardrobe....