​

​

The History of Kiln Formed Glass

​

The art of glass fusing began somewhere around 2000 BC. Between around 1500 BC and 500 AD, Romans and Egyptians used kiln glass fusing as their primary glassworking method. After this, pate de verre and glassblowing became the primary glassworking methods.

It wasn’t until 1935 that warm glass began to reemerge, when craftsmen in America began using enamels on window glass in ceramic kilns. It wasn’t long before pioneers like Maurice Heaton began creating lighting fixtures and dishes the same way.

Then came Francis and Michael Higgins, who moved fused glass from a utilitarian craft and into the world of modern art. They invented what is now known as the dropout. As they continued to innovate, warm glass became more and more popular.

A wildfire was started. As fused glass workshops and studios emerged in the 1970’s and 80’s, and now kiln-fired works are emerging as a popular form of fine art, commanding a powerful presence in galleries around the world. The rest is history.