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Every now and then I stumble upon designers that are hidden
away somewhere in the woodwork (why hidden, I don’t know?) The other day was
one of those “every now and then" occasions, when I stumbled upon, Jo Downs, a jewellery
designer in Cornwall
Jo Downs is one of the world’s most prominent fused glass
designers. She manufactures a unique range of men’s cufflinks plus jewellery
for women. Her advanced fusion techniques create abstract designs of great
individuality, vibrant colour and texture. Just a glance at her range of her
jewellery will allay any doubt of her ability.
It’s not just jewellery that takes form in her studio, glass
panel designs are commissioned by renowned architects and hang in some famous
buildings, and there are also objects that decorate homes sideboards and
tables.
To fully appreciate Jo’s art form, it would help to know the
history of fused glass production stemming from Murano glass.
Murano, an island located near Venice,
is still today regarded as being synonymous with the production of the finest
and most elegant glass. Murano's products are the most recognizable glass
around the world. Murano glass is often referred to as "cristallo"
due to its unique properties.
The art of glass-making in Venice
has been present in the city since its very settlement. The Venetians acquired
glass-making techniques from other civilisations through their extensive
trading colonies in the Eastern Mediterranean and
Islamic territories. Around the year 1292, Venetian glassmakers learned every
known aspect of glassmaking. Although they were not the only ones to make
glass, Venetian production has always been more refined. In the same period,
the whole Venetian glassmaking production was moved to the isolated island
of Murano becoming one of the world's
first industrial districts.
There are several explanations as to why production was moved to Murano. One
thesis says that it was a precaution against fire hazard. If a fire should have
accidentally escaped it would have risked causing great tragedy among the
largely wooden structures of crowded Venice.
Another more frequently suggested opinion is that the move was made to isolate
the glassblowing masters and prevent the sharing of knowledge with foreigners.
As glass trading with fine Venetian glass was one of the leading sources of
trade, it comes as no surprise that glassmaking was one of Venice's
most guarded secrets. The art of glassmaking was handed down from father to
son, and then became a trade exclusively for those born on the island
of Murano. A glassmaker that left
the Venetian State
was condemned to death as a traitor.
The dominance of Venetian glass lasted until the 19th century when the mutated
political situation lead to the development of glassmaking in other European
countries. However, the Murano School
remains one of the most important in the world, and has retained its influence
right up to modern times.
Fused glass production in England
thrives and artists like Jo Downs help to keep the tradition alive, while
producing objects in vibrant, abstract form.
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