The Art of Glass – Victor Arwas

This introduction to the most innovative period of glassmaking in the twentieth century was published to coincide with The Art of Glass - Art Nouveau to Art Deco exhibition at the Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery, the centre of Britain's glass-making. The fascinating history of art glass in this period begins in the 1880s with the precursors of Art Nouveau, follows the creations of Gallée Daum and Muller Frères, and looks at the iridescent glass of Tiffany and Loetz and pâte-de-verre creations from Henri Cros to Argy-Rousseau. It continues with the development of opalescent, frosted, and clear moulded glass, especially Lalique, Art Deco glass, functionalism, modernism in Sweden (Orrefors), and English and Scottish glass. The historical background of each designer and firm, descriptions of their styles and techniques, and evaluations of their achievements make this an invaluable reference guide. The accompanying contemporary photographs of glass artists and glassworks, examples of signatures, glossary, and biographical list of artists all help put the story in historical perspective. But it is above all the glass itself, beautifully reproduced in full colour, that brings to life one of the most exciting and creative periods in the history of glass art.