Crackled glass was invented in 16th-century Venice by briefly immersing hot molten glass in cold water, resulting in a distinctive craquelé effect. It became popular in the late 1800s and was produced until the 1960s. The glass is now a popular collector’s item and was used to make a variety of items such as beads, vases, bowls, and ornaments. The cracks are limited to the top layer of the glass, and the inside is smooth due to the heating process.
Crackled glass was first developed and produced in 16th-century Venice. Venetian glass masters invented the process of briefly immersing spheres of hot molten glass in very cold water, which caused the outer layer of glass to crack. The process would then continue with the glass being heated and blown into the desired shape. As the glass was shaped and expanded, the cracks would grow larger, resulting in a distinctive craquelé effect.
Pieces made using this method are sometimes called ice glass, craquelle glass, and overshot glass. Glass with this distinctive crackle pattern became very popular in the late 1800s. Many factories in the United States and Europe used the process from about 1920 to 1960, and much of the world’s cracked glass pieces were produced during this period. Very little new glass has been made by this method since then, and the process is not commonly used in glassmaking today.
Perhaps due to lack of current production, craquelé glass has become a popular collector’s item. Most collectibles are transparent, allowing the effects of the process to shine through the piece. Some have additional paintings and embellishments on top of the crackle effect, adding another dimension to the design. This style of glass was made in a variety of colors.
When someone touches the outside of a crackling piece of glass, they can feel the cracks along the surface. These fissures, however, are limited to the top layer of the glass. The inside will be smooth and even, with no signs of cracks or fissures.
The smooth underside is achieved because the glass is heated after being immersed in cold water. The heating process seals the cracks caused by the drastic temperature change, resulting in a flat underlying layer, making the glass suitable for a variety of uses.
A wide variety of items were made from the glass produced by this method. Crackled glass beads made into necklaces and earrings were fashionable in the 1950s. Other popular items include vases, bowls and pitchers. Ornaments such as figurines and paperweights have also been made from it.
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