Stirrup Plate – Iridescent Sea Blue Art Glass on Reactive White Glass Background 10″

This bowl is part of our Stirrup Collection of equestrian art glass home decor. It is 10″ x 10″.

The black and white background is an example of reactive glass and the effects it can produce. Reactive glass changes color when specific chemical elements come in contact with each other under high heat. In this case the ivory glass contains sulphur and the white contains lead. The reaction is a black line wherever the two colors are touching.

We hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind art glass piece. As you can see from the pictures, the iridescent green glass changes color as the light shifts and each tile reflects slightly differently. Like a kaleidoscope, it will produce new new arrangements of color every day. This sophisticated piece of equestrian decor that will stand out anywhere. Whether you’re enhancing your own home or looking for a perfect gift for someone special, this remarkable bowl promises to be a cherished and distinctive addition to the surroundings of any horse lover.

Creating it was a 4-step process.
Glass Selection: First, a piece of ivory glass was cut to the size of the finished piece. In addition, a piece of iridescent sea blue glass was chosen to create the tiles used in the mosaic.
Creating the Design: The stirrup design was drawn on the ivory glass using a stencil made on my laser cutter. The green glass was then cut and glued in place to create the stirrup mosaic. After that, chunks of white glass the size of gravel (known as coarse frit) were applied on top of the ivory glass.
Fusing in the Kiln: The assemblage was carefully placed in a kiln and heated to 1475 degrees, the temperature at which glass melts and the layers fuse together.
Shaping the Dish: At this point the piece was still flat. To create a bowl it was fired one more time. It was placed on a mold and heated to 1250 degrees (a process known as slumping). At this temperature the glass softens and gravity causes it to sink”to the mold and assume its final shape.