The technique of working solid glass differs in many respects from the technique of glassblowing. While glassblowing aims to reveal the delicacy and transparency of the medium, manipulating solid glass with hand tools is more about sculptural form. This athletic process begins with a gather of hot glass on a punty iron which will be gradually shaped and enlarged with further gathers. The creation of hand shaped solid glass sculpture requires an artist of great virtuosity, a team of assistants ready to step in at precisely the right moment, and a large quantity of molten glass. The artist uses various shears, knives, paddles, tweezers and crimps to shape and then finish the piece down to the last detail. The mass of glass growing, the weight increasing, the contact at the punty iron cooling, one must continually reheat the piece to avoid any breaks.

In the 1950’s the Alberto Seguso glassworks, working from models by Napoleone Martinuzzi created a series of extraordinary heads influenced by statues from Greece’s Cyclades Islands, and Alfredo Barbini subtly developed the classic sculptural theme of the nude. In the 1980’s the great Archimede Seguso also tried his hand at the technique “a massello”, adding it to his broad field of activity.

The master glass artist Pino Signoretto, who has collaborated with such artists as Salvador Dali, keeps the tradition of hot glass sculpting alive today, passing it on with great energy and authority to a new generation of artists.

BUBBICO Giovanna, CROUS Joan et Giacomo, “Techniche e arte del Vetro”, Demetra, Colognola ai colli, 1999 BAROVIER Marina, DORIGATO Attilia, “Il vetro di Murano alle Biennali 1895-1972”, leonardo Arte, Milano, 1995 PHILIPPE Joseph, “sculptures contemporaines en cristal et en verre d’Europe”, Catalogues d’exposition à la Générale de Banque, Liège, 1986,1989, 1996, 2000