Title

Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Can You Identify These Vases?

These cobweb? Blenko Vases belong to a couple in Texas, they'd like to know more about then.

9 comments:

Phani said...

Wow, Nice color and design combination. I am trying to understand the process by which this is achieved. Do they have 2 different glass and glass-weld it together? Hope the terminology is right.

Phani said...

Wow, Nice color and design combination. I am trying to understand the process by which this is achieved. Do they have 2 different glass and glass-weld it together? Hope the terminology is right.

Heart of Glass said...

Phani
I will write to Blenko and ask Randy Rider to explain the process - I've seen it done...they kinda add one color after the other but Rider will know the correct terminology and process.

Phani said...

I am not talking about the color though; if you look in to the first glass, it looked like it had a dense/thicker glass or a 2 glass with an air bubble in the middle, not sure if I make sense though...

Anonymous said...

I would be looking in books for the early days of Blenko. To me they look like the early times. That color of green was used alot in the early 1920 to 1960. Have only seen afew pieces in that color and they are my favorite. One is two pieces and that color green. It is simply beautiful and very delicate, and it is one that I proably could never afford for it is old Blenko. Then again I always like the aged stuff. Bet that piece was made around the 1940's to the 1957. Think about who was in the white house. Guess I am from the generation that remembers how they use to decorate. I also own other glass wear from that time and alot of Brass stuff that goes along with this design.

matt carter said...

You start the piece out by getting your first gather of glass from the emereld/dark green. Covering it with crystal will lighten the glass to create seafoam. By adding a finger of colbalt/blue glass to the exterior in a random fashion you create the cobweb effect. Re heating to soften the glass before it goes into the mold. When blown the glass expands against the cherry mold to press the finger of cobalt glass against wood surface. This blends the two pieces together but still leaves a slight texture quality to it. These two pieces are samples for an award that was being produced at the time (I think) or were samples for the line.

Heart of Glass said...

Matt Carter
I'm so excited to have you stop by the blog - and super excited to have you comment about B's vase.
Are you responsible for these?
hjh

matt carter said...

Yes I designed these particular vases. M

Phani said...

Thanks for the Info Matt. The designs are great.