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Foreword Morton D. Barker The Collection History of Paperweights ManufacturersTechniquesRelated Objects Gallery of Paperweights Glossary of terms Paperweight Resources Search


Top : Techniques : Lampwork

Lampwork

The lampwork technique is one of the three major methods used in the construction of classic paperweights. In addition to floral designs, lampworkers created fruits, vegetables, and animal scenes. Lampworking also appears in paperweights using other techniques such as latticinio and overlay.

Lampworked HandcoolerFranceSaint Louis, circa 1845-55Diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 inches, Height: 7 cm (2 3/4 inches(702256)Lampworked upright bouquet in an egg-shaped handcooler; sides cut with four rows of circular printies; circular sterling silver base Lampworked HandcoolerFranceSaint Louis, circa 1845-55Diameter: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 inches) Maximum Height: 7 cm (2 3/4 inches)702257)Lampworked upright bouquet enclosed in a handcooler; sides cut with four rows of printies; circular sterling silver base Lampworked Bead NecklaceCzechoslovakia (attributed)factory unknown, early twentieth centuryLength: 41.5 cm (16 1/2 inches)Largest Bead: 1.9 cm (3/4 inch)(702490)Glass bead necklace comprised of thirteen beads; each containing two lampworked pink roses with green leaves; set on a mauve ground; beads alternate on a nylon cord with seven faceted clear bead discs; sterling silver chain Lampworked Set-upsUnited StatesRonald HansenMackinaw City, Michigan, circa 1950sDiameter of smallest, approximately 5 mm (3/16 inch)(702462)Several of sixteen paperweight This graphic illustrates the crimping process by which crimped flowers such as the Millville roses were made. A crimp is a brass form, here in the shape of a rose. It is pre-heated and thrust into a molten gather of glass. The petal shapes on the crimp push the colored glass upward into petal shapes within the clear glass dome. This graphic illustrates the proces of lampworking a floral set-up.Step A: Glass rods are heated and shaped under a blow-lamp or torchStep B: The set-up is pre-heated and set on a form. A gather of clear molten glass is lowered and picks up the set-up. Step C: A second gather of molten clear glass is attached to the underside of the set-up to form the base. Each end is cut off in turn and smoothed on a block to form the dome and base of the weight.

Top : Techniques : Lampwork

     
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