Creating a Cast Glass Cinerary Urn

Crystal glassware has been synonymous with sophistication and elegance for centuries, because crystal is the finest type of glass. There are many reasons for this, but basically it is crystal's special optical properties that set it apart from common glass. Crystal has a much greater clarity than common glass, and when it's thick it possesses an inner glow. Although it's usually presented in its colorless transparent state, it may be combined with color and opal crystal to create diaphanous patterns resembling those found in rare gemstones. This is the technique that we have perfected, and accounts for the unique beauty of our urns.

In our studio here in Bandon Oregon we've been creating fine glass art sculpture and cast glass vessels for twenty years. We believe that the cinerary urn is the most noble of purposes for a vessel. This is why we endeavor to create the finest cinerary urns in the world today.
Museum quality objects must be composed of the most durable and alluring materials. Cast glass, and especially crystal, satisfy this requirement, but the creation process is arduous and problematic. This is why cast crystal vessels are rare.
The first step in the creation process is to sculpt the urn in modeling clay. We then use carving tools to finish the surface. From this clay model, a mold is made, and placed in the kiln. Into this mold we melt chunks of the finest crystal imported from New Zealand. The kiln is then brought to a high temperature and the process continued in the kiln for five days. Upon its return to room temperature, the mold is taken from the kiln and delicately separated from the crystal urn that it now contains, with the mold being destroyed in the process.
The result is a one piece casting with ½ inch thick walls, and substantial weight, over twenty pounds. The surface of the urn is rough at this point, and must be worked with grinding wheels and diamond tools. The urn is then immersed in a vat of acid to create a satin finish.
The copper bands which will be attached to the sides are first shaped by hand, hammered, and patina applied. Loops are formed at the end of the bands so that they may work as a hinge with the copper band on the lid. The hinge pins are removable so the lid may be opened and securely closed.

Although the same color combinations of crystal may be used, each urn has its own unique pattern due to the casting process. The translucent quality of our opaline crystal urns can only be approached by vessels carved in stone mediums such as jade, marble, opal, or alabaster. The tool marks on the surface of our urns add to this hand carved appearance.
Our guiding principal when creating these urns is to employ fine craftsmanship, and use basic materials of great beauty and integrity, so that the urns will last, unchanged for centuries.