SAEDNEWS: Tiffany, also known as stained glass art, is a world-renowned craft that uses various types of colored glass to create stunning designs. To explore and learn more about this beautiful art, stay with Saed News.
Glass inlay is one of the most beautiful and popular traditional Iranian handicrafts. This globally admired art can be used on its own or combined with other crafts. Glass inlay comes in various styles, each practiced differently across countries. The use of diverse colors in glass inlay makes it particularly attractive to audiences.
Also known as stained glass or Tiffany art, glass inlay is a handcraft that uses colored, textured, and cut glass pieces, assembled with metal wires. In Iran, it has a long history, decorating doors, windows, “Orosi” panels, walls, and various objects. Artists typically employ geometric patterns, and in some cases, wood is used instead of metal bars to separate glass pieces.
Christian artisans in the 12th century decorated churches with glass artworks inspired by biblical stories. Each piece of colored glass was cut and joined using lead alloy bars. In Iran, from the Safavid period onward, glass inlay was used to decorate palaces and important buildings with purely geometric designs. Wooden frames were often used instead of metal bars. Today, this art continues to adorn traditional buildings and historical sites. Notable examples include the Bagh-e Dolat Abad Mansion in Yazd (Afshar period) and Golestan Palace in Tehran (Qajar period).
Single-phase digital electric kiln
Glass cutting machine (electric)
Airbrush (pneumatic)
Electric air pump
Grinder (manual or electric)
Simple and round-cut German diamonds
Safety goggles
Hand sieve
Workwear and toolbox
Glass sheets in various thicknesses
High- and low-temperature mineral paints
Paint thinner, brushes, markers, and paper
Specialized cutting table
Louver and glass drilling machine
Site Inspection: Visit the installation location. In some projects, making the frame is part of the artist’s responsibility, ensuring better alignment between frame and glass.
Design Phase: Measure and consult with the client to finalize the design. Customer preferences are fully integrated at this stage.
Glass Selection: Choose from colored, textured, acid-washed, or cut glass according to the design and client taste.
Cutting and Shaping: Glass pieces are carefully cut by hand. Pieces needing additional shaping are sent to the grinding workshop, where they are cut into diamond shapes that sparkle beautifully in light.
Assembly (Framing): Glass pieces are assembled using H-shaped lead cames to create the inlay pattern.
Soldering: Connection points are soldered with tin on both sides. Lead wires are available in black, gold, and silver.
Customization: Stained glass and Tiffany glass have no limitations on design or dimensions. Classic, modern, or nature-inspired patterns can all be created with this technique.
Glass inlay is widely used in jewelry, tableware, interior decoration, and ornamental objects. Today, production is achieved through two main techniques:
Slump Method: Pouring glass onto a mold surface.
Negative Mold Technique: Using a mold to shape the glass precisely.
Glass inlay remains one of the most versatile and admired artistic crafts. Its vibrant colors, geometric precision, and combination of skillful handwork and creativity continue to captivate audiences worldwide, preserving a rich cultural legacy.
