Fused Glass Cufflinks: Artistic Intervention: (Murano Glass)

Every now and then I stumble upon designers (fashion or otherwise) that are hidden away somewhere in the woodwork (why hidden?) The other day was one of those “every now and then” occasions. I stumbled upon, Jo Downs, a jewellery designer, while searching for objects befitting men’s collectable fashion accessories. An opportune time to reflect, we balance mass production with bespoke; enter Jo Downs.

Jo is one of the world’s most prominent fused glass designers. She manufactures a rainbow of men’s cufflinks and a kaleidoscope of jewellery for women. Her advanced fusion techniques create abstract designs that fill and warm the coldness and emptiness of glass giving life to the most inanimate material, impressing textural influences, while gleaning colour to glass. Just a glance at her stuff will allay any doubt of her ability and conjure happy feelings, for art is to be appreciated, it should delight the observer enough to want to own a piece of it, for art is not a dark science for the portrayal of despair and ruin, what sense in art that conjures remorse.

It’s not just jewellery that takes form in her studio; glass panel designs are commissioned by renowned architects and hang in famous buildings. And there are objects that decorate home’s sideboards and tables. Coasters, a mere delight to meet the eye, all colours of the rainbow are captured in glass as delicate as ice, but as warm as the sun that filters through open windows of spring time.

To fully appreciate more than the poetic beauty of Jo’s art form, as scientific intervention plays as major role in the formation of art as does the artist creative hand. It would help to understand a glint of history of fused glass production stemming from Murano glass techniques and how history continues to impact on the contemporary formation of things.

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.

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.

Have a look at Jo Down's cufflinks and while you’re at it have a look at Ian Flaherty’s cufflinks as well, they’re the hallmark of British design excellence.