Glass Crafts

Archaeological discoveries in India reveal the existence of glass over 2000 years ago. Beads, tiles and conical flasks have been unearthed from a site discovered in Uttar Pradesh. Glass has also been mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. Due to its ability to take any form and acquire scintillating colors, it gave new definitions to the art of glasswork during the Moghul era. Glass articles like bowls, tumblers and bottles for precious things, like Indian scents, were made. Other items like phials, bottles, jars and lamp chimneys are attractively made in a wide range of shapes.

Engraving on glass also reached new heights, which is reflected in the delicate foliated designs of the period. Glass bangles continue to be in vogue, with innumerable colors and patterns. Ferozabad, in Uttar Pradesh, has an entire community devoted to producing glassware and tableware in tasteful designs. Glass beads on the other hand are a speciality of Varanasi. The tukli technique in Patna involves decorative items on glass, with gold or silver pieces to fill the entire picture. In the south too, elaborate paintings on glass have gained popularity.

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