Glassmaking is in the Family

This is a replica of the Murano wine decanter (but in red and a fuller decanter) Page bought his parents in 1968 on a trip through Europe when he was 15.  At home I have the 6 goblets displayed around the decanter just like this photo I found on the internet.  I have never used it, but looking at the current price, I guess I never will!

Yesterday we boated over to the island of Murano to see the art and business of glassmaking.  Murano has been the center of the glassmaking industry since 1291 when it was moved here from Venice due to the risk of fires and smoke. 

We watched glass blowing!  The man takes a blob of molten paste on the end of an iron rod and, by twisting, turning, and blowing, transforms it into a vase.

I tried to download my video here, but I couldn’t figure it out. But, how fascinating to see this same young man turn a blob into a horse in just 5 minutes!

Glass blowing is not new for us.  Our first experience was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where the blue rimmed goblets with glass cactus stems were enticing. I bought a set along with a pitcher.  I also bought a set of lowball glasses for our cabin of which only a few have survived.  Crude and full of bubbles, but fun to use, our authentic glassware has been unique.  Unlike Waterford Crystal that we toured in Ireland just a couple years ago, we were allowed on the floor with the craftsmen.  Yikes! I was sure someone was going to catch on fire by bumping into a hot molten blob! I remember seeing glass making demonstrated in Colonial Jamestown, Virginia, too.

In Bristol, England, with our youngest children and Page’s parents in 2003, we admired the beautiful cobalt blue glass.  Page’s Swindell side of the family came to America from Ireland (originally from the Bristol area) and started a glass company in Baltimore.

Click to access SwindellBrothers.pdf

This link is an interesting read for people like me who are into genealogy. However, this piece reads like a dissertation! Beware!

This good-looking guy is Page’s GG Grandfather who took off with his father’s Irish glass business (from Tralee, Kerry, Ireland) and ended up in Baltimore. Two of his sons (Walter and Charles) continued in the business (not Page’s Great Grandfather) until it turned into bottle/jar (and flasks!) manufacturing. The company sold in 1948.