{"title":"Cased Glass in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries: Technique, Elegance and Design Evolution","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCased glass\u003c\/strong\u003e—also known as overlay glass—is a decorative technique in which layers of differently coloured glass are fused together, allowing artisans to carve, cut or engrave intricate designs that reveal the underlying layer. This process rose to prominence in the 19th century, reaching new artistic heights through developments in Bohemian glassmaking and continental European design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnique and Production\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe process begins with a base layer of molten coloured or clear glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA second (or multiple) layer(s) of contrasting colour is applied while hot, forming a fused glass body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArtisans then cut or engrave the outer layer using tools such as copper wheels, revealing patterns, figures or geometric forms from beneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCopper Wheel Engraving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis precise method uses rotating wheels coated with abrasive paste to incise designs into glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidely adopted across Europe in the 19th century for its capacity to render detailed imagery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommon motifs included floral garlands, hunting scenes, armorials, and mythological subjects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFacet Cutting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFacet cutting involved grinding flat geometric planes into the glass surface, enhancing light refraction and visual brilliance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEspecially popular in luxury tableware and decorative vessels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOften combined with cased glass and engraving for multi-dimensional effect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌍 Regional Excellence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBohemian Glass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced in the regions of Bohemia and Silesia (modern-day Czech Republic and Poland).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnown for vibrant colours, such as ruby, emerald, cobalt and amber glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBohemian workshops such as \u003cstrong\u003eHarrach\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eMoser\u003c\/strong\u003e, and others specialised in heavy casing and bold engraving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOften exported across Europe and North America, becoming synonymous with prestige.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVal Saint Lambert (Belgium)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFounded in 1826 near Liège, Val Saint Lambert emerged as a leader in luxury glassware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcelled in overlay glass, facet cutting and wheel engraving, with distinctive clarity and colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollaborated with designers during the \u003cstrong\u003eArt Nouveau\u003c\/strong\u003e and later \u003cstrong\u003eArt Deco\u003c\/strong\u003e periods to produce stylised, geometric and architecturally influenced pieces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌀 Influence of Art Deco (c. 1920–1940)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArt Deco aesthetics introduced angular motifs, stylised florals, and symmetry to glass design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCased glass was adapted to suit modern interiors, often combining bold cuts, vivid colour contrasts and industrial precision.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVal Saint Lambert and French studios such as Schneider and Lalique contributed to this trend, marrying traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCased glass during the 19th and early 20th centuries exemplifies the confluence of technological innovation and artisanal flair. Whether as ornate vases, goblets or display pieces, these objects illustrate the lasting appeal of layered colour, light manipulation, and detailed surface decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"val-st-lambert-cased-ruby-over-uranium-glass-vase-palacio","title":"Val St Lambert Cased Ruby Over Uranium Glass Vase ‘Palacio’","description":"\u003cp\u003eVal St Lambert Cased Ruby Over Uranium Glass Vase ‘Palacio’.\u003cbr\u003eBelgium, Circa 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 17 cms (6.7 ins)\u003cbr\u003eDiameter: 17 cms (6.7 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51227236467025,"sku":"5152","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/background-editor_output_9fd421ad-76e4-4ae7-8eed-bda7fef95f42.png?v=1749152411"},{"product_id":"val-st-lambert-hand-blown-pink-over-clear-cut-art-deco-glass-vase","title":"Val St Lambert Hand Blown Pink over Clear Cut Art Deco Glass Vase","description":"\u003cp\u003eA superbly intricate and highly sophisticated lathe cut hand-blown vase by Val Saint Lambert, retaining its original label. \u003cbr\u003eBelgium, circa 1920\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 15 cms (5.9 ins)\u003cbr\u003eDiameter: 16 cms (6.3 ins)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExhibiting their signiature cased glass technique where the geometric cutting reveals two-tone colours. In this instance, pink or fuschia over clear, the vase exhibits cutting as vertical flutes, horizontal lozenges and petal cuts around the flared rim. The cutting is sharp and precise. This vase was almost certainly designed by Joseph Simon, one of the master artists and head of the design team after 1926.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nwtiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51227250229585,"sku":"20707","price":850.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/files\/background-editor_output_ac0ab1f5-27ca-4db9-9c4e-ac7bdc3dbfa2.png?v=1749152321"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0935\/5873\/5185\/collections\/1000046736_488c9114-032d-410d-b344-3289ea751a31.jpg?v=1749970468","url":"https:\/\/nwtiques.com\/collections\/cased-glass.oembed","provider":"Nicholas Wells Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}