Pâte de verre
Pâte de verre, French for glass paste, is a kiln casting method in which crushed glass is mixed with a binder, packed into a mould and fired until the glass melts and fuses. After cooling, the mould is removed, and the piece has a soft, slightly translucent surface like stone or porcelain.
The technique was known in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and was revived in France at the end of the nineteenth century, during the Art Nouveau period, when it was used for vases, bowls and sculptures. It is used today for small sculptures, jewellery and architectural pieces.
Fine powder gives a smoother surface, and a coarser frit gives a more granular, speckled look.