This display highlighted some of our glassware collection which includes Cut, Pressed, Etched, and Painted Glass. It was visible for visitors to the Park at Bothell Landing through the windows of the Hannan House.
Crystal, Lead, Cut, and Pressed Glass
Crystal glass is a type of glass that has a hardening agent. Modern hardened glass was developed by George Ravenscroft in 1675 and led to a new style of glass making. His original innovation, flint glass, used calcined flint as a base which produced stronger glass, but it decayed over time. He overcame this problem by the addition of lead oxide. Both processes created a product that is stronger than glass made from just silica (sand).
The use of lead oxide was not a new idea; it had been used and glass had been cut since at least 1400 BC.
Crystal
Crystal is more refined than traditional glass. It has a greater shine and separates light better than regular glass. These qualities are used to make prisms and lenses. It is used to create higher quality glassware as it can withstand being cut with an abrasive wheel. This property is what allows Cut Glass.
Cut and Molded Glass
Modern Cut Glass has been made since the 17th century. Since the mid-1800s, Cut Glass and later Pressed Glass have been made in a similar fashion. The glass is blown or cast into a mold. Cut Glass uses a plain mold without a pattern while Pressed Glass contains the pattern in the mold. The glass mold leaves a seam where the mold is joined. Some art glass is hand blown rather than using a mold.
Cut Glass goes through an additional process of cutting a pattern into the glass. Cut Glass can be distinguished from most Pressed Glass as the seam mark has been removed or reshaped by cutting. Pressed Glass mold marks can be removed and cleaned up to look similar to Cut Glass. Cut Glass will have sharper edges.
Etched Glass
Etched Glass uses techniques to create a pattern with a translucent background. It can be created on the glass surface using several techniques. The glass can be etched by applying acidic, caustic, or abrasive substances. This is done after the glass is blown or cast, although mold-etching has replaced some forms of surface etching. Crystal and Pressed Glass may also have etched designs.
The versatility of glass makes it difficult for the amateur to discern the difference between types of glassware. As we are amateurs please feel free to let us know if you see any piece which we may have mislabeled.
