Many cold decorative glass techniques have evolved, but there are five main forms:
Painting: Glass can be painted with either lacquer or oil paints, or more usually enamel paint. Lacquer and oils are often applied to the reverse of an object as they cannot be fired and will easily rub off. Enamel paints are mixed from finely ground glass with the addition of metallic oxides in an oily base that are painted onto the surface and fired at a low temperature.
Gilding: Sometimes combined with other decorative techniques. Honey gilding involves painting with a mixture of gold and honey and firing it at a low temperature. Cold gilding is less durable because the gold leaf is mixed with oil and applied to the surface but not fired. A variation of this, popular in 18th - century in Bohemia, involved a layer of gold or silver leaf sandwiched between two layers of glass.
Cutting: A technique where sharp-edged patterns are cut with tools into the surface of the glass, reflecting the light and making the item more brilliant.
Engraving: Tools are used to cut patterns into the surface of the glass, where the surface of a piece comprising two or more layers of different coloured glass is engraved to reveal the colours underneath, cameo glass being an example.
Acid etching: This technique involves covering the surface of the glass with an acid-resistant coating and engraving a design through the coating onto the glass. The item is then dipped in acid giving the exposed areas a frosted effect.
Hot decoration technique
Various forms of decoration, both applied and impressed, take place while the glass is still hot:
Trailing and combing: One of the earliest forms of decoration, this involves the application of thin rods of molten glass around the outside of the piece in a spiral effect. The trails can be combed into patterns and then marvered.
Pincering: This is a method of squeezing or nipping trails or other decorations to create a frilled edge.
Prunts: These are blobs of molten glass that are applied to the piece, usually found on the stems of drinking glasses.
Friggers decoration technique
One of the many traditions in the glass making industry is triggering, the making of a one-off decorative piece by a glass maker or apprentice for his own amusement. Friggers are made in a multitude of forms such as birds, animals, tobacco pipes, trumpets, books, hats, swords and walking sticks, and give the glass maker an opportunity to experiment and demonstrate his skills.
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