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It is unclear when man first made glass; however, according to the ancient Roman historian Pliny (AD 23-79), man-made glass was first discovered by Phoenician merchants approximately 6,000 years ago. In his writings, Pliny described how Phoenician sailors were anchored and camped on the Eastern Mediterranean coast, now modern day Syria, ready to prepare a meal. The cooking pots were rested on blocks of nitrate by the fire. The nitrate melted and mixed with the sand creating a liquid. As the liquid cooled it became translucent, durable and impermeable. This is the first noted record of the creation of man-made glass.
Towards the end of the 1st Century BC glassblowing was discovered along the eastern Mediterranean coast, current day Syria. This invention revolutionized glass production allowing for easier and faster production. As a result, glass became readily available to the common people for the first time. In the Arab World, glass blowing is an ancient and traditional art form, a talented skill handed down from generation to generation. In Syria today only a handful of skilled glass blowing factories remain. Sadly, hand-blown glass is slowly becoming a dying art.
The photo above was taken in one of the oldest glass blowing factories in Damascus. The glassblower can be seen sitting in front of the oven shaping a vase. The glassblower takes molten glass from the oven and places it at the end of a hollow tube; by blowing through the tube the glassblower quickly produces shapes at the end of the rod. The molten glass can be blown into a mould or shaped freehand to any desired shape. Handles and other decorative features are added after the initial form of the glass object has taken shape.
 Damascene Treasures offers a large selection of glassware including tableware, vases and centre pieces. The hand-blown glassware is made of 100% recycled glass and comes in 4 base colours - clear, green, turquoise/blue and burgundy. Many of the hand-blown items have been painted by local artisans in Syria
Damascene Treasures also carries manufactured glassware featured by local Syrian artisan’s hand-painted arabesque designs. These items come in a variety of colours including but not limited to frosted white, champaign, turquoise, blue, purple, green, and baby pink, baby blue, yellow, violet. Each item has been exquisitely hand painted with a silver or gold arabesque design, giving the glassware a unique and elegant finish.
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