Glass engraving is a form of decorative glasswork that involves engraving a glass surface or object. It is distinct from glass art in the narrow sense, which refers to moulding and blowing glass.
Glass engraving encompasses a variety of techniques. One notable form is intaglio work, with oil refinery machine images and inscriptions cut into the surface of the glass through abrasion. Glass engraving tools are therefore small abrasive wheels and drills, with small lathes often used. Engraving wheels are traditionally made of copper, with a linseed oil and fine emery powder mixture used as an abrasive.
Other forms of engraving are “stipple” and “drypoint” in which the surface of the glass is abraided with the use of small diamond tipped burrs. The scratches and small dots made in this method can, in the hands of a skilled artist, be used to produce images of astonishing clarity and detail. Notable practitioners of this form are James Dennison Pender and the late Lawrence Whistler who began a revival in England.
Glass engraving is considered by many to be a dying art form. While this is far from accurate it is certainly a form that has seen its heyday come and go. Despite this there are still many glass engravers who are producing bold dynamic and aesthetically challenging artworks. In the UK one of the most notable artists is Alison Kinnaird MBE. Based in Scotland she splits her time between glass engraving and playing the traditional Scottish harp. In recent years these two apparently disparate mediums have been combined when she composed music to accompany her piece “Psalmsong” which is now installed in the Scottish Parliament building.
The UK currently has a Guild of Glass engravers based in London and lists a number of well respected glass artists as members, including some overseas. These include Katherine Coleman MBE, Sally Scott, Tracey Sheppard, Dominic Fonde and Ronald Pennell. It has an online gallery of members works with contact details for commissions and classes for people who want to learn about this art. A general exhibition is held every two years. In 2010 this will be at the FitzWilliam museum in Cambridge from 15th June to 15th August. Local branches in the UK meet for joint practical work, tutorials, and hold regional exhibitions.
Meanwhile the Czech republic having produced many world class glass artists can lay claim to one of the very best, Jiri Harcuba. Every two years the Czech Republic hosts a conference aimed specifically at glass engravers. Other prolific notables around the world are Kevin Gordon in Australia and Lisabeth Sterling in the United States.
Some artists, such as Lesley Pyke, combine the art of hand engraving with sandblasting for not only collectible work, but bespoke pieces which become family heirlooms and every day commercial requirements such as corporate presentations and sporting awards.
An example of a relief illusion created from an intaglio cut form can be observed on this wonderful bowl engraved by Edmond Suciu, using the techniques of diamond and copper wheel engraving.
“White Horses”- wheel engraved by Edmond Suciu
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Glass forming techniques
Commercial techniques
Float glass process Blowing and pressing (containers) Extrusion / Drawing (fibers, glasswool) Drawing (optical fibers) Precision glass moulding Overflow downdraw method Pressing Casting Cutting Flame polishing Chemical polishing Diamond turning Rolling
Artistic and historic techniques
Beadmaking Blowing Blown plate Broad sheet Caneworking Crown glass Cylinder blown sheet Engraving  Etching Fourcault process Fusing Lampworking Machine drawn cylinder sheet Millefiori Polished plate Slumping Stained glass fusing oil press machine Stained glass production