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Glass in the Islamic World/Glass of the Sultans
Corning Museum of Glass
Corning NY
By Mary Kay Radnich
 Last week while traveling through upstate New
York, the family and I made an impromptu side trip to Corning, NY,
in response for a radio ad we heard for "Glass of the
Sultans: Glass in the Islamic World," an exhibition of rare
and exquisite Islamic glass, on display now through September 3rd.
This was my first-ever trip to Corning and the Corning Museum of
Glass (CMOG) and I was not disappointed.
I envisioned a traditional type of museum – boy,
was I wrong! The CMOG is a contemporary edifice built to exalt the
many facets of glass and glass-making history in Corning NY. The
entire village of Corning, which is very quaint, is a testament to
the superb quality and artistic ability of the artisans located
there. Glass of all sorts, of all ages, of all forms, can be found
in this marvelous little valley at the edge of the Finger Lakes
Region.
Glass of the Sultans, presented jointly with The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, is located in the Art and History
Galleries of the Museum. All areas of the Middle East are
represented, from Iran & Iraq to Syria & Egypt, and the
individual pieces are marvelous in their delicate features and
coloring. Early glassmaking conjured up visions of thick-walled
cumbersome pieces in my mind, and this is not the case at all!
That these delicate, ornate and beautifully colored pieces have
survived over ten centuries is a miracle in itself.
"Glassmaking was a flourishing
industry in Egypt and the Middle East when there areas
where conquered by the Arabs. Later, Islamic glassmakers
developed new forms and types of ornament. They also
revived or rediscovered ancient techniques. In addition,
they discovered at least one new technique:
staining."
If you find yourself in upstate New York before
September 3, 2001, try and find the time to visit Corning NY and
the Corning Museum of Glass. You won’t be disappointed with any
aspect of the museum, but you will especially enjoy seeing
"The Glass of the Sultans."
If you miss it in Corning, the exhibit will be at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New3 York City from October 2001
through January 2002.
A
Brief History of Islamic Glassmaking
Corning Museum of
Glass
One Museum Way
Corning, NY 14830
Admission Charged
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