A cane is a long and narrow piece of glass, usually in the form of rod (round in cross-section) (50.3.3). Sometimes canes are made flat and strip-like (72.1.11).
Canes are made by stretching a compact mass of hot glass, sometimes to great length (twenty meters or more). The glass being pulled can be simply a large "gather" of one color, but more commonly there is a core of colored glass thickly covered with clear glass. More complicated designs can be created by attaching previously made canes to the outside of contrasting soft glass then twisting the tools as the cane is pulled (see video "Cane Making.")
For very complex patterns, a large bundle of canes that has been carefully assembled can be fused, and then pulled long. Here, no matter how long the bundle is pulled and how small its resulting diameter, the pattern is retained perfectly (66.1.78 and 94.4.111).
All canes fall into one of two basic categories:
Murrini are slices of cane.
Do you work with glass? Are you a glass blower, lamp worker, beader, artist, crafter, or maker?
Consider contributing to our artist files! Learn more on the library's Guide to Artist Files
A folder with your name on it will be added to the Rakow Research Library's artist files and available for use by researchers, other artists, and any interested member of the public.
Have questions? Schedule a consultation with a Llbrarian at the Rakow Library to get help researching a specific topic or using Library resources. You can also submit a specific question to Ask a Glass Question.
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