Pâte de Verre Bowl L117

Pâte de verre is a casting method that involves hand-packing layers of glass in a refractory mold. In French, the term literally means “paste of glass.” You can use this method to make a variety of forms. These include vessels, sculptural pieces, and textured panels.

In this lesson, we’ll demonstrate the basic techniques of pâte de verre by making this color-fade bowl. You’ll learn how to create a wax model from an object, how to create a two-layer refractory mold, and how to pack the mold with fine frit to achieve a color-fade. We’ll also cover considerations for firing the piece and how to divest it from the mold.