Not quite - this is one of those US-English language problems again!
Technically, 'stained glass' refers to glass that has images painted
on with enamels (paints based on glass powder) and then fused on in a
kiln, This is typical church work where glass pieces with saint's
faces painted on will be used in a leadlight window.
In the US and occasionally elsewhere, almost all glass construction
for windows, lampshades, etc. has become known as 'stained glass'
work but this is technically incorrect. Work using lead 'came' is
generally known as 'leadlight' and copper foil work (where glass
pieces are edges with copper strip and then soldered together) as
'Tiffany', after its inventor.
Opal or opalescent glass is made by taking a white or pastel base
glass and dribbling other coloured glasses on to it before passing it
through untextured rollers. The result is highly unpredictable,
individual and unrepeatable - I have a couple of pieces that are too
beautiful to cut for a project - one like a japanese traditional
landscape in effect. The result is often layers of colour and it can
change character remarkably, depending on how it is lit - unexpected
colours and shapes appear with stronger light. It is typically used
for lampshades and small pieces like boxes. The most common type
available here is the American Ourouboros glass which tends to
feature a ring mottle effect. These glasses are very difficult to use
well and bloody hard to cut neatly - thank gawd for diamond wheel
grinders!
AndrewF
At 05:37 AM 8/11/03, you wrote:
Just very briefly: What IS "opalescent" glass? What is
it used for? For decorative glassware?
It's more commonly known as "stained glass" but opalescent goes
beyond that using multiple colors, different types of glass,
textures and creating general patterns of the colors (e.g. curtain)
in how its rolled out. It was used by Tiffany in making Victorian
era lampshades (and other objects) and the opalescent and
irridescent glasses were used heavily between 1900-WWI for what is
known as "Mission" or "Arts & Crafts" or "Prairie" style
furnishings. What name is used to describe the "period" depends on
what region of the world and U.S. in particular you're in. Frank
Lloyd Wright's style was called "Prairie" while the Stickley Bros.
created "Mission" furnishings.
SNIP
Thanks,
-- John
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