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Glass from Messopomia to modern times

In modern life glass is present in almost every aspect of daily life, house utensils,       
building, art, etc the changes are in chemical composition and production techniques.

Glassmaking Techniques in Antiquity

Although the chemistry of glass changed very little, since man started producing glass in Messopotamia, the techniques changed very much.
Glass is by definition an amorphous solid material made by fusing silica (sand component) soda (natron) and lime in a furnace heated to a high temperature (over 1150 degrees centigrade) Primary glass was usually produced where the raw materials and fuel were readily available, at a distance  from the inhibited area. Glass is called amorphous because is neither a solid nor a liquid but exists in a vitreous or glassy state.
Glass was formed in nature when lightening stroke sand dunes or when volcanoes spew lava those natural glass pieces were used by early civilizations as spearheads  and cutting tools as well as for decorative purposes                         

Many of the earliest glass vessels, dating to about 2500B.C. were core formed or cast glass  in Egypt an Messopotamia they produced the early vessels by forming a core of ceramic- like material around a a metal rod and then encasing it in molten glass.
Flasks for scented oils were made this way. Another  early technique involved different molds into which they were pouring hot molten glass                                       
Another step in the same direction was creating  mosaic glass .Like stone mosaic, mosaic glass is made up of a number of small pieces fused together.
Mosaic  glass vessels are among the most colorful types of ancient containers.                                         
As the demand for glass vessel increased, sophisticated production methods evolved and new forms were introduced.                                                

In the mid-1rst century B.C. glassmakers around Jerusalem discovered that molten glass could be inflated into a bubble at the end of a hollow tube.                                   
The blowing  technique revolutionized the glass industry. The characteristic transparency,delicacy,and subtle colors,as well as many of the forms wineglasses, bottles, juglets, and jars that were introduced in the Roman period,as a result of the blowing technique, are still the trademarks of glassware today.

Glassblowing

The glassblowing developed in the Syro-Palestinian region in the early first century B.C. arrived toRome with craftsmen and slaves after the areas annexation to the Roman Empire in 64B.C. .As blowing allowed versatility and speed of manufacture it spurred a rapid evolution of style and form. How ever, although blown glass came to dominate Roman glass production, it did not altogether supplant cast glass.
Glass was made to imitate semi- precious stones like emerald, rock crystal sapphire, garnet,sardonyx ,amethyst and camelian.                                                                         

Glass windowpanes were first made in the Roman Empire little if any attention was paid to transparency or even thickness because it was intended to provide insulation and security, rather than illumination or a way viewing the outside world, so they could be cast or blown.                                                            

Glass in modern life

Beyond every household uses could you imagine modern life without the scientific instruments microscopes, thermometers, telescopes, barometers, vacuum flasks and   many others? Scientific fields like histology,pathology,bacteriology, molecular biology,astronomy could not have existed at all.
Where would have medicine without Pasteur and Koch being able to visualize microorganisms?  Chemistry depends on glass instrumentation Agriculture greenhouses, improved the cultivation of fruit and vegetables.
Distribution of food and beverages by the production of glass bottles.
Navigation improved by the invention of the chronometer, lighthouses which could not have been without storm- proof lanterns and transparency of glass                                                   

Glass In Jewelry Manufacturing  

The most common technique use for creating glass jewelry is fusing. Most contemporary methods of fusing involves stacking which is layering thin sheets of glass often different colors to create a pattern.                                                                   
Fusing is the process of rounding or melting the batch inside the kiln (which is almost always electric but can be heated by gas or wood as in ancient times) the height of the temperature affects the result and the uses of of the fussed glass. The longer the kiln is held at maximum temperature the more thoroughly the stack will fuse.                          
Plates of dichroic glass (multiple ultra thin layers of different metals are applied to the surface of glass,kiln fired at extreme temperature,developed by NASA for use in face shields in space suits) can be fused with other glass in multiple stages of firing.
Due to variation in the firing process ,each piece of fused dichroic  glass is unique ,so  is the price.                                                                                                                        

The Recipe for Hilbah

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of ground fenugreek seeds 2 tablespoons of hot, green pepper sauce* 1/2 teaspoon of salt Water Lemon juice - half lemon (optional) Instructions: Put the ground fenugreek seeds and water into a bowl, covering over the ground fenugreek entirely with water up unto two fingerbreadths. Leave in this state (soaking) overnight. The next day, pour out excessive water, and blend the soaked fenugreek in a blender, or in a food processor that has a steel blade, together with the hot, green pepper sauce. During this process, gradually add 1/2 cup of fresh water. Hilbah should be refrigerated. It can also be frozen, to be stored for future use. Best stored in glass jar. Recommended use: A tablespoon of Hilba in chicken or beef soups, or just eaten with a sop. * NOTE: Hot, green pepper sauce is really a relish, known as "zhug" by the Yemenites. This is made by grinding 10 hot green peppers, mixed with 1 large stem of fresh coriander (finely chopped), 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom, and 1 head of whole, peeled garlic (crushed).

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Judaica Made in Israel? What You Don't Know Does Matter... To Israeli Artists!

It is a little known fact that much judaica and Jewish gifts are actually made in India and China. Until recently, these items were almost universally just imported into the USA and distributed through almost all the major judaica importers. However, since the more recent encouragement to buy things that are made in Israel, a practice has arisen with a few companies whereby they import judaica from India and China into Israel, and then export it out from Israel selling it to those who don't know as "From Israel" when in fact it is not Israeli at all.

Understandably, there are many many Israeli artists that are upset by this practice, since there are stricter regulations for manufacturing, including the use of children in adult employment. Plus, the quality of workmanship is higher in Israel, and these artists continue to struggle while the other products dominate the market.

It may be that you cannot find what you want that is made in Israel, and of course there is no need to feel that you cannot buy other products, but if it is important to you to support Israeli artists and manufacturers, then don't be afraid to ask WHERE the item you are looking at is actually made, and BY WHOM so that you are an informed buyer!

Here are a few reasons to "Buy Made In Israel":

1. Although you may pay a little more for genuine "Made in Israel" Judaica, you will get better quality.

2. When you buy Judaica made in Israel, you are supporting the artists who live there. The tourism industry in Israel is very weak right now, so any support you can lend to Israel really does make a huge difference. Remember, it is multiple small drops of water that make up a lake or an ocean.

3. Judaica from India and China is sometimes cheaper, but some of it is made by children who are working long, unacceptable hours. If you're buying something for a religious purpose, why would you buy it from a child who is being overworked & not protected by employment laws?

4. Judaica that is actually made in Israel is often of a much higher quality

Remember, there is a big difference between "from Israel" and "made in Israel." At Studio Shofar we recognize that there is some judaica that is not easily available from Israel, at least not at prices affordable to many; in addition, there are many Jewish artists living in America, Canada and elsewhere who make beautiful judaica, whether tallits, jewelry, Shabbat items, or more.

When you shop for judaica products, look for stores that let you know up front whether or not an item was made in Israel. For example, some use an Israeli flag next to Israeli-made products. This makes it easy for you to make educated decisions in your purchases.

By: Adam Barnett Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com


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