This handblown vase has a classic and three-dimensional pattern of amber and white. This pattern was created using the ancient Venetian (Muranno) technique of murrine (patterned disks of colored glass). Best known in millefiore glass, the use of murrine allows for infinite possible combinations of color and pattern.
The murrine in this piece were created by fabricating a complex cane, layering amber glass over clear glass and then white glass over the amber glass, then a final coat of clear glass, and pulling the resulting soup-can sized cylinder of glass out into a rod about the diameter of a felt-tip pen (one studio-day). The rod was then chopped into thin disks and layed out on-end on a ceramic kiln shelf. Finally, back in the hot shop, the disks were heated on the ceramic plate and tack-fused together, then rolled up onto a collar of clear glass and blown out into the shape you see (second studio day).
This vase is one of a kind and was blown by the artist (David L Smith) with a unique shape and pattern. Because this is hand-blown, there are small bubbles and tool marks present in the piece. These are artifacts of the process and testify to its handmade nature. This vase is a piece of art and is signed and dated by the artist. And it it a practical object as well, suitable for use every day. Hand washing recommended.
