Q. What is the history of glass sculpting?

Glass Sculpting:

Our LibGuide on Hot Glass Sculpting provides an array of information about specific artists and techniques. A number of hot glass sculpting techniques exist. Some of these are: bit sculpting, massiccio sculpting (sculpting in the mass), working inside the bubble, and "aprima"(completing an entire sculpture without reheating).  This from quote Glass Through Time, published in 2003, may aid in beginning some of your research:

“A new genre emerged in the 1930s: that of the plastic work in glass, of the glass sculpture.  This took the form of reproductions of animals and plants in blown or solid glass, hot molded in the furnace, which obligated the glassblowers of Murano to invent new methods and processes, pioneered by Napoleone Martinuzzi”

Here below is some information from Judith Collin's 2007 book, " Sculpture Today", that should be helpful considering your question:

The materials of sculpture have, through the centuries, been subject to a system of hierarchies based on social, political and aesthetical factors: the two materials that sat at the top for the longest time are bronze with a dark brown patina and white marble.

Glass is an ancient material, like clay, and the pioneer in the use of glass for a large scale sculpture is Dale Chihuly, who studies glass-blowing in the late 1960's at Murano Italy. He designs both small and large works, and the bigger ones are often four to five meters high, composed of up to 1000 separate pieces.

Since your question about the history of glass sculpting contains many possible facets, I’ve just included an overview of to get you started in your research. Attached is a bibliography of works about trick glasses and several on glass history for your further research.

If you wish to obtain copies of any of the items in our list, please contact your local library. Additionally, the Rakow Research Library is a member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC); your library can contact us through OCLC or they may mail an Interlibrary Loan form to us. You may request up to five items at a time. We send photocopies of articles and microfiche copies of our books (if they have been microfilmed) through Interlibrary Loan for four weeks use. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any additional questions.