Roman glass
Blown glasses from Egypt and Mesopotamia are thought to have found their way to the Roman Empire around 50 BC after which they revolutionized the glass industry and made glass products more available. Previously glasswares were luxury items that only the wealthiest could afford due to the lengthy and demanding process that went into the creation of each piece. Glassworkers were quite limited by their techniques so the shapes and designs they were able to produce were finite, consequently, this new innovative way of making glass products was really a step up from previous casting methods both in terms of time and efficiency.
WHAT WAS GLASSWARE USED FOR IN ANCIENT ROME?
The resulting glass was much thinner, more viscous, and easier to work on than the initial thicker glass. With the new techniques came totally new forms and shapes through experimenting. Still, the glassware for everyday use remained the priority as these products started to appear in nearly all aspects of people’s lives due to how easy it was to mass-produce them on an industrial scale with mold-blowing. They were used as tableware for dining, in ceremonial activities, and containers for different liquids such as perfumes or oils. Merchants also used glass jars to transport and sell their products overseas.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ROMAN GLASS ITEMS
The methods used in ancient Rome were preserved for centuries to allow us to reproduce historical findings with the same glass blowing techniques. The process consists of blowing the hot glass through a hollow 1 to 1.5 m long iron rod to create the desired shape of the glass. Colors are achieved by adding small amounts of metals to the mix which can be further manipulated by increasing and decreasing the level of oxygen in the furnace. Depending on their quantity and quality, adding copper produced blue, green, and red, manganese produced pink, cobalt a deep blue, calcium white, and lead brought a yellow tint. Besides their phenomenal looks inherited from the historical Roman glassware designs, they also possess great waterproof characteristics making them suitable not just for decoration but everyday use as well. With this handmade quality, these products are guaranteed to serve as your favorite glassware for a long time.
Explore The Ancient Home's marvelous handmade collection of ancient Roman glass reproductions on the following link and choose the perfect glassware for yourself or as a gift for a loved one.
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