Materials and Techniques
Sothis® light is born from the encounter between material and hand: Murano glass and crystal shaped by fire, frames finished with exquisite gold and chrome plating. Each piece embodies tradition and contemporary research, beautifully infusing any space.
Crafting a Murano glass chandelier is a creative act that combines technique and poetry. The warm, malleable glass is blown through a pipe, forming a bubble that artisans shape with traditional tools such as pliers and chisels. Each part of the chandelier, from the arms to the pendants, is individually crafted with great care, using techniques such as "pontèo" to sculpt refined details without mixing the glass. After blowing and shaping the base and other parts, they are precisely assembled onto a metal frame: the arms are inserted into the holes in the base without screwing, and the ornaments, such as leaves and flowers, are carefully positioned in their sockets to avoid stressing the glass. The final step is slow cooling in a furnace (tempering), which allows the glass to stabilize and prevent breakage, preserving all its transparency and beauty. This process, the fruit of experience and passion passed down through generations, makes each chandelier a unique and living work of art.
The crafting of Murano glass enriched with gold leaf is a precious and refined technique. A very thin square of pure gold, usually measuring about 8 x 8 cm, is collected from the glass while it is still in its pasty state during the initial phase of the process. This gold leaf can then be covered with a transparent layer of glass that protects it and maintains its brilliance. When the glass is blown, the gold leaf inside shatters into a striking gold dust effect, creating luminous reflections and a unique elegance. This technique dates back to the second half of the 15th century, when master glassmakers began using gold leaf to enrich their creations. In the 19th century, silver leaf also began to be used, but it must be covered with a protective layer to prevent unwanted oxidation. In short, gold leaf is an element of great aesthetic and historical value in Murano glass, which, thanks to skilled craftsmanship, is integrated into the glass, creating unique and refined pieces with a timeless appeal.
Murrino glass (hot mosaic) is an ancient Murano technique that involves fusing small pieces of glass, often specially shaped, so that they bond together to create a uniform mosaic. A common variation is millefiori, made of sections of colored glass rods with decorative motifs, which are joined under heat to form polychrome designs. This decorative technique requires great precision and involves juxtaposing and fusing the small sections of glass, forming objects or tiles with floral motifs and complex patterns. The name millefiori literally means "a thousand flowers" and refers to the visual effect of tiny colored glass fragments, often round and polychrome, combining in a rich, ornamental design. Originally used only for glass, the technique has now been adapted to other materials that can be molded without the need for melting or heating. In short, murrino glass and millefiori represent a refined decorative art, achieved through the hot fusion of small pieces of colored glass to create unique and vibrant compositions.
The process involves placing a sheet of glass on a smooth or patterned surface. Glass plate glassmaking involves fusing glass on glass or fusing and shaping a single sheet in a kiln, a technique known as glass fusion. It involves fusing large surfaces of glass and color, calle d "plates," sometimes decorated with glass fragments of different sizes, colors, and thicknesses, arranged to form abstract figures or decorations. The entire surface is then melted in a kiln, harmoniously fusing and combining the materials to create a unique artistic product.
The creation of cut crystal octagons is an art that blends technique and poetry. Clear crystal is heated in a furnace until it becomes a viscous fluid; then, it is molded under pressure in a metal mold. This results in a semi-finished piece with the final shape, which is then left to cool and harden. The master craftsman then hand-cuts each octagon, creating the facets and edges with precision over several stages until the light reaches its maximum brilliance, breaking down into the colors of the spectrum. The final polishing enhances the crystal's unique brilliance. Each octagon, a symbol of elegance and refinement, is then carefully assembled into the chandelier's structure, creating a harmonious and delicate whole. This process, based on patience, experience, and passion, is rooted in a centuries-old tradition that transforms each chain of octagons into a luminous and timeless masterpiece, lending the chandelier a unique and vibrant charm.
Chemical gilding of chandeliers begins with careful surface preparation, which is mechanically polished and cleaned by degreasing and removing oxides and impurities to ensure good adhesion of the coating. Before gilding, a layer of copper (copper plating) is applied, creating a uniform base, improving the adhesion of subsequent layers, and protecting the surface from corrosion. Next, the chandelier parts are immersed in an electrolytic solution containing nickel and other chemical salts, thus applying a barrier coating that further increases corrosion resistance and reduces porosity. Next, the same parts are immersed in an electrolytic bath with pure 24-karat gold ions; by applying an electric current, the ions are uniformly deposited on the surface of the brass, which acts as the cathode, while the gold acts as the anode. The resulting gold layer can have different shades and finishes, depending on the type of bath (alkaline, neutral, or acidic) and subsequent treatments. Finally, the object is washed, polished, and may receive a final protective treatment to ensure its durability and shine over time.
Chrome plating a chandelier involves a series of specific steps to achieve a shiny, durable, and protective finish. First, the surface is prepared with a thorough cleaning to remove dirt, grease, and oxides, followed by mechanical polishing to even out the base. A thin layer of copper (copper plating) is then applied, which acts as a uniform base and improves the adhesion of subsequent layers. After copper plating, nickel plating is performed by immersing the parts in a solution containing nickel and other chemical salts, creating an intermediate coating that enhances corrosion resistance and reduces porosity. Finally, the piece is subjected to an electrolytic bath to deposit the chromium layer using an electric current; this final layer gives the chandelier a shiny appearance, greater hardness, and wear resistance. Finally, rinsing and polishing are performed to complete the aesthetic and functional finish. This process, unlike gold plating, uses chromium to protect and enhance the base metal, offering a combination of aesthetics and superior durability.
