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Crystal figurines
Crystal Figurines have the intensity and sparkle of a thousand facets in every symbol of greatness.
Crystal figurines have descended from glass that appears to have been produced in Mesopotamia around the second millennium BC. It would be over thirty five centuries before the glisten and transparency of lead crystal would adorn the unequalled clarity of crystal figurines.
The Egyptians used an art of glass making called core-forming. Molten glass was rolled around a core of dung and clay. At this time still no crystal figurines were known to exist.
Glass blowing was discovered by a Syrian glassmaker, somewhere near the end of the first century BC. Glass blowers would blow molten glass into a mold for crystal figurines or an experienced glass blower can quickly produce symmetrical and intricate shapes out of the “gather” at the end of his “rod”.
This new innovation made glass more accessible to the common people and the art of glass making spread as the Roman Empire expanded over the know world.
By the end of the 13th century Venetian glass and crystal figurines were sought after by royalty and commoners alike for their luster and brilliance.
Two centuries later craftsmen from the island of Murano produced a pure crystal made with potash from sea plants and finely ground high quality quartz sand to create the best quality dazzling crystal figurines known to the world at that time. These Venetian glass makers and their secrets were so highly regarded they were not permitted to leave the Island of Murano.
In 1676 an Englishman named George Ravenscroft discovered that by adding lead oxide to his molten mixture, he could not only improve the clarity of his crystal figurines refraction index but also significantly increase the weight. Due to the lead content it was much softer and a great deal easier to use very deep and complicated cut without breaking.
This brilliant new lead crystal quickly became the perfect medium for engravers and glass cutters alike to create their radiant crystal figurines and proudly pass these skills down through the generations.
It is very important that you know how to care for your sparkling crystal figurines.
Even household dust will act as an abrasive that cause scratches in the crystal figurines surfaces. Always hand-wash all your exquisite crystal figurines in warm water with only a mild detergent and always use a rubber mat or towel in the bottom of the sink, just in case. Rinse thoroughly with water of the same temperature as a sudden change in temperature can cause your crystal figurines to cloud or even crack. Use a clean cotton dish towel to dry and polish your wet warm crystal figurines.
Some of the more recognized names in crystal are; Swarovski of Austria, Waterford and Tipperary both from Ireland, Crystal Florida of Turkey and Asfour Crystal of Egypt, to mention only a very few of the many world-wide manufacturers of high quality radiant crystal figurines and magnificent crystal center pieces.
If you are shopping to find an ideal gift for that certain someone, or just rewarding yourself you may want to consider one of these ever sparkling crystal figurines. Enjoy your figurines.
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