Other current exhibitions
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Ruby Red Revival
Of all the rich colors in glass art, Ruby red is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing. Makma Art Gallery is pleased to present Ruby Red Revival featuring Ruby Red glass masterpieces, by Bohemian Glass Masters.
Of all the rich colors in glass art, Ruby red is arguably one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing.
Red glass was considered magical in many cultures throughout history and favored amongst European royal courts. In Ancient Persia, red glass was thought to attract gold and silver, pulling them similar to a magnet. Despite this high regard for the material, the art and technique of making red glass were lost for many centuries and rediscovered in Bohemia in the mid-19th century.
Historically, red-colored glass was achieved by using small amounts of gold chloride. This essential ingredient made red glass costly and helped to assure its relative rarity.
In Bohemia, the method was renewed to obtain a deep red. The red color was layered over clear glass, allowing artisans to create unique faceting and finely executed cuttings.
These pieces would then be further decorated with exquisite wildlife scenes and delicate foliage that continues to fascinate today. Read more -
Tales of the Alhambra
When the rediscovery of the Alhambra in Granada triggered the imagination of Bohemian Glass manufacturers Makma Art Gallery is pleased to present Tales of the Alhambra featuring 19th-century Alhambra vases by Bohemian Glass Masters, which are interpretations of those created in the 14th and 15th centuries for the Alhambra in Granada.
These renowned and highly acclaimed ancient amphoras were made exclusively for decorative purposes and placed in alcoves at the Alhambra in Grenada, to which they owe their name. It is believed that only a few of these Hispano-Moresque vases have survived to the present day fully intact. They are stately pieces with intricate decoration and a swelling body with large, flat wing-like handles.
Islamic art greatly inspired Western art throughout the Renaissance and reached a new level of admiration throughout the 19th century following the rediscovery of Moorish Spain. This rediscovery triggered the imagination of Bohemian Glass manufacturers, with Harrach Glasshouse being the most notable. These glasshouses created exquisite designs with meticulously applied gilding.
Since its rise in popularity in the mid-19th century, Islamic art-inspired glass masterpieces continue to be sought-after collectibles. Throughout the past 200 years, these art pieces have remained feats of beauty and sophistication. Read more
