Pair of Handblown Glassware from Herat in Dark Blue

PLEASE NOTE: These glasses are handmade and the light blue glasses are slightly larger than the dark blue glasses. All may have slight marks showing the process as they are not made in a factory.  Currently ships to Ireland and Northern Ireland only, registered post. All other items ship worldwide. Price is for one glass.

These stunning glasses are handmade by Ghulam Sakhi. He is one of the last glass-blowing artisans in a once thriving industry, which is now at risk due to cheap imports. He works from a small workshop in Herat, and fires each glass individually in a mud-brick furnace.
Ghulam first blows sharp bursts of air through a long metal pipe to inflate the molten glass into a parison, before leaving the glass on a marvel to cool down and molded.
The beautiful colours come from a mixed glaze of ‘ishkar’ and ‘river quartz’. The quartz is sourced from nearby riverbeds, while the ‘ishkar’ glaze is derived from an indigenous desert bush. This technique is 1000s of years old and every purchase not only provides him with an income, but keeps this amazing craft alive.

About Turquoise Mountain:

Turquoise Mountain Trust work to ensure craftsmanship in war-torn countries survives, creating economic opportunities for craftspeople, supporting development projects, and changing consumer perceptions.