Burmese glass

Burmese glass was patented in 1885 by the U.S. Mount Washington Glass Company. Queen Victoria was apparently awed by the beauty of this art glass and purchased a Burmese glass tea set. Thomas Webb and Sons, a British company, were then licensed to produce their own version of Burmese glass known as Queen's Burmeseware. Queen Victoria gave permission to name the art glass collection in her honour.

In addition to being adorned in dazzling colors, Burmese glass could be crafted into a shiny surface ware or one with a dull satin-like finish. The majority of Burmese glass however was given the duller acid-induced matte finish surface which ultimately became more popular with the public. Some Burmese glass designs displayed colorful enamels with artwork such as flowers, birds or fish. Burmese glass was blown, blow moulded, and press moulded.

Burmese glass can be produced in all sorts of shapes and forms, although it is most commonly used as ornamental vases or lamps, small fairy lights, candle shades, or as decorative tabletop items. It also comes unlined, which increases its attractiveness and value. Burmese glass has a fluorescent appearance.

Manufacturing Process

The process for producing Burmese glass begins with an ordinarily translucent white glass. Addition of uranium oxide gives a warm yellow color to Burmese glass, while the high degree heating or re-heating of the gold (a tincture of which is added) imparts the rosy pink shading. Intense heat directly influences the extent of shading. The combination of all three elements in varying degrees creates a breathtaking array of colors.

Burmese glass products also came with attached glass beads, making for a brilliant glowing effect. Another technique used to create Burmese glass was called coralene. In this process, the glassworker would fasten small beads to the surface of the glass with an enamel paste. When bright light passed through the beads and reflected off of the paste, the result would be a glowing effect in the overall art glass. There were occasional instances where they would also apply gilded decorations, but for the most part, the appeal and attraction of Burmese glass lay in its elegant simplicity.