A handblown glass bowl patterned with purple and curving, intertwined thin lines of white. This bowl was created using the ancient Italian technique of mezza stampura (half-stamped).
First, thin cane (rods of white and clear glass in this case) were made on one day. On a second day, they were rolled up onto a clear core, melted in, and then pulled to a thin strand again, while twisting. On the third day, these "twisty canes" were rolled up on a clear bubble of hot glass, then overlain with transparent purple frit (finely crushed colored glass). That bubble was then dipped halfway into the molten glass in the furnace and then immediately put into an optic mold to create the thickened and ribbed bottom of the bowl. Then the bubble was inflated and opened to the final shape. This bowl has a clear glass foot, which has been cold worked to a high polish and signed. This bowl 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 that are artifacts of the studio glass process. This bowl 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. Thanks for supporting independent artists!
