Reproduction Glass

Verrerie de Saint Just

Located in Saint Rambert, France since 1826, Verrerie de Saint Just is the oldest existing large scale manufacturer of mouth-blown sheet glass in the world. Throughout its rich and long history, Saint Just has remained the world's foremost leader in restoration (reproduction) clear styles, flashed, seedy, craquele, reamy, and streaky glasses. Along with the mouth-blown styles, Saint Just manufactures the ever popular drawn antique series called MNA. Please view the videos below in our "Knowledge Center" for a one of a kind look into these unique manufacturing processes.

Glass Knowledge Center

	"Blown Glass" >> click to play video
	"Specialty Blown Glass" >> click to play video
	"Drawn Glass" >> click to play video

Stained glass saw its origin in the 4th century. In fact, stained glass is a product of silver-smithing. It did not become common, however, until the end of the 11th century. Before it became a legitimate facet of art, stained glass was viewed as nothing more than a domestic luxury.

The art of making stained glass progressed rapidly with the advent of grisailles painting with black and white only, in the 12th century, which made stained glass more accessible and less costly. Great builders wished to achieve the same architectural perfection seen in the cathedrals of the Middle Ages, in which the wonderful transparency of the materials vied with the richness of the colors and designs. That desire for excellence is evident in the cathedrals of Borges and Sainte Chapelle, built by Philippe Auguste and Saint Louis in the 13th century. The cathedral of Saint Chapelle in Paris has an overwhelming 800 square meters (8600 sq.ft.) of stained glass. No expenses were spared in the building of cathedrals like this.

The discovery of silver stain at the start of the 14th century led to the creation of some exceptional windows. The stain expanded glass coloring by opening up a full range of tones from yellow and and gold to orange. In the 16th century, diamonds became the preferred method of cutting glass as well as the use of rolled lead came. All that inspiration to innovate has carried on for centuries. Glass ended up becoming a transparent canvas on which scenes and figures could be painted. To get to this point it took centuries of invention, idea sharing, vision and refinement.

Below: Vintage photos of the mouth blown glass industry in its early stages in France. Every aspect of production is done by hand with no automated mechanical help. Much like it is today at the Saint Just factory in Saint Rambert, France.

Clear Glass Styles
	CG104 Mouth Blown • Heavy distortion • Med seed content • Heavy reems
	CG105 Mouth Blown • Subtle distortion • Lite seed content • No reams.
	CG107 Mouth Blown • Medium distortion • Lite seed content • Medium reams
	CG108 Float Glass • Lite distortion • Minimal seed content
	CG110 MouthBlown • Lite seed content • Lite reems • Lite striations
	CG112 Drawn (plain) • Lite distortion • Minimal seed content
	CG114 Float Glass • Lite distortion • Lite seed content
	CQ00 MouthBlown "Craquele" or reptile skin appearance.
	MA01 Mouth Blown • Med. seed content • Med. striations
	MNA000 Drawn (txtre) • Lite distortion • Low seed content • Surface striations
	G018914 Drawn (txtre) • Lite distortion • Low seed content • Surface striations
	S100FT Rolled Glass • Lite distortion • No seed content
	SF100 Rolled Glass • Lite distortion • No seed content
	SM01 Mouth Blown • Linear pattern • Medium distortion • Lite seed content