Late 20th Century Orange & White Flower Controlled Bubble Paperweight

Details

Description

his really is a bright and beautiful paperweight that incorporates the “bullicante” effect (see below) floating — in a strategically … Read more his really is a bright and beautiful paperweight that incorporates the “bullicante” effect (see below) floating — in a strategically placed manner — around the orange and white flower. I am confident this will be one of your favorite collectibles; it really is a lovely piece. Size is approximately 2.5" x 2.5" round.

What is the meaning of Bullicante?

The “bullicante” effect is amongst the most famous glass making techniques, and it is seen quite often around the island of Murano. If you’ve had the fortune of strolling along the streets of Venice, you would have noticed beautiful glass pieces with small air bubbles trapped in the inside, possibly stopping to wonder how that seemingly impossible effect is achieved. This peculiar effect is obtained by placing a piece of molten glass inside a metallic mold with spikes, very much resembling a pineapple’s texture. These spikes cause small holes on the surface creating a pattern all around the glass piece. After it’s been left to cool down for a few moments, the whole piece is submerged in molten glass again. This second layer completely covers the first one. However, thanks to the thick consistency of glass, the holes previously impressed on the first layer are not covered, thus causing air to be trapped between both layers of glass. This process can be repeated several times, creating a pattern as complicated as the glass master wishes. This technique gives not only a sense of depth to the whole object, but also an incomparable decorative effect, famous for its originality. See less