This ornamental technique aims to give glass a deliberately rough and fractured appearance. The hot parison is plunged into cold water during blowing, creating a network of cracks and fissures that continue to grow during successive blowings and reheats. A soft touch is required to maintain the crackled effect well described by the alternative expression “ice glass”. Another technique called “overshot” is used for similar effect. It consists of rolling the still malleable parison in a bed of crushed glass laid out on a marver; the crackled effect staying on the outside while the inner surface remains smooth.

The Venetians of the XVIIth century used this process to create a series of very elegant pieces which ultimately inspired glassmakers throughout Europe. Crackle glass , however, gradually fell into disuse until its rediscovery in the XIXth century by the British glassmaker Apsey Pellat. This technique is also characteristic of the unique work of Francois-Eugéne Rousseau (1827-1890) as well as the beautiful pieces of his collaborator and heir Ernest Leveille (1841-1913).

BRUNHAMMER Yvonne, OLIVIE Jean-Luc, “Chefs d’oeuvre de la Verrerie et de la Cristallerie Française au Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 1800-1900”, catalogue d’exposition au Suntory Museum de Tokyo TAIT Hugh, TATTON-BROWN Veronica, “Five Thousands Years of Glass”, British Museum Press, Londres, 1991 BRAY Charles,”Dictionary of Glass-Materials and Techniques”, A§C Black, Londres1995