Looking at Glass: A Guide to Terms, Styles, and Techniques

Catherine Hess and Karol Wight

Ranging from ancient Roman mold-made glass to modern pressed glass, this glossary is a handy guide for museum-goers and anyone interested in the art of glass making. Glass terminology and the often arcane technical terms relating to the production and decoration of glass, as well as names of special shapes of glass beakers, are defined succinctly.

Illustrated with samples of Roman, Renaissance, Victorian, and modern glass, as well as engravings showing glassmakers at work, the book is both a visual delight and an informative small reference work. Objects shown are from the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum; the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York; and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. A short bibliography rounds out the volume.

Catherine Hess is the former associate curator in the Department of Sculpture at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Karol Wight is the former associate curator in the Department of Antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum.