Spheres, skulls, tequilas and miracles are some of the many objects with which our country has enriched the traditional technique of blown glass, especially in the states of Puebla and Jalisco; also incorporating typical shapes and colors of Mexico, such as flag green, Mexican pink and cobalt blue.
Origin of blown glass
The Syrians are credited with the creation of the blown glass technique around 300 BC and would later become popular in the Roman Empire. Later, he would arrive in New Spain in the 16th century, establishing the main workshops in Puebla de los Ángeles, managed by Spaniards.
However, with the passage of time, the Mexicans would learn the technique until they became great master glassmakers; not only in Puebla but also in Mexico City, Oaxaca and in Jalisco, in Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque and Tonalá.
Currently, Puebla and Jalisco are recognized for their important production of blown glass in lamps, tableware, decorative figures, jewelry and vases.which are exported to all over the world.
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How is handmade glass made?
First of all, glass is a mixture of silica sand, sodium carbonate and limestone that is melts in ovens at high temperatures (between 500 and 1,600 °C) to obtain a thick, easy-to-mold dough with a consistency of honey or molasses.
Next, the craftsman, with a metal tube called a cane, blows, forming air bubbles in the molten glass and shapes it according to the product he wants to create, using different types of tweezers and scissors.
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Finally, once you have the desired figure, finishes, handles or bases are placed on it and it is baked for about eight hours to give it hardness. It should be noted that The blown glass technique requires great skill, since molten glass is fragile and is at high temperatures; hence the need for several artisans to be involved in the making of the pieces.
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Characteristics of blown glass
- Most Mexican artisans use recycled glass.
- Due to the above, it is difficult for the pieces to achieve 100% transparency.
- The most common colors in blown glass are green, amethyst, different shades of blue such as cobalt and amber.
- Because the manufacturing process is done by hand, the pieces normally have bubbles inside and organic shapes. If you are looking for objects with exact measurements, you must have a special mold made.
- Finally, blown glass, with proper care, is more resistant and durable than common glass.