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Pâte de Verre is the ancient process that was used to create glass vessels before glass blowing was invented. First, a model of the finished piece is created from clay or wax. The model in encased in a plaster and silica flour mold and the clay is removed or the wax is melted out. The glass is ground into powders and mixed with a binding agent into a sort of "paint." This paint is used to paint designs onto the mold and to build up the features of the form. The mold is then filled with ground "background" glass and fired in a kiln. Sometimes, it is necessary to open the kiln and add more glass at 1525 degrees F. After annealing and final cooling, which can take several days or a week depending on the thickness of the piece, the mold is broken away to remove the glass. The glass is then cleaned and polished with various diamond tools. The piece of Pâte de Verre requires a great deal of time to create and each one is "one of a kind." |
Pâte-de-Verre glass boxes
There are (at least) two methods for creating Pâte de Verre. In one method, the glass is "painted" into the mold and layers are built up to the correct thickness. The mold usually consists of an inside and outside plaster that act to contain the glass as it melts. In another method, the powdered glass, together with some flux, is gently "pounded" into the mold, building up layers of glass. The flux acts like a glue that keeps the powdered glass in place as it dried. The pounding serves the purpose of compacting the glass as much as is possible. The mold is fired, and because there is no plaster against the pounded side (usually the inside), that side becomes shinny as it fires and melts. |
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Pâte de Verre nature castings
Pâte-de-Verre "pound" method
(c) 2017 Sally Eyring - all designs and pictures on this web site
(c) 2017 Sally Eyring - all designs and pictures on this web site