Observe and Touch

• 1). Observe the specific shape of the piece in front of you. Art glass is ornamental--a work of art made from glass--and is not meant to be functional. Because art glass typically is blown glass, it should have no seam anywhere on it to indicate that it has been formed in a mold. However, some molded or pressed glass objects may be considered art glass, depending upon the intention of the artist and the intricacy of the design. According to Katie Katz, president of Bernard Katz Glass, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, "Each piece of art glass is unique. No two are alike."
  
  
• 2
  Glass pieces may appear functional or similar and still be defined as art glass.GLASS ART WORK image by mkb from Fotolia.com
  
  Note the color, shape and form of the piece of glass. Each piece should vary, even in a small way. One artist may create a series of glass pieces. If the shapes are the same, note the distinctions in the colors of each piece. The world-renowned Kosta Boda factory in Sweden creates pieces that may repeat, but typically vary in color.
  
  
• 3
  Shape, texture and color of each piece are the artists' signature.glass blower image by michael langley from Fotolia.com
  
  Request information about the artist when you find what you think is art glass. Look for established artists within the industry when choosing art glass to buy. Peruse local galleries that display glass pieces. Many up-and-coming artists work in glass and the prices of their pieces may be more affordable than the more established artists, although the value of the established artists is fairly guaranteed. Feel the texture of the piece when assessing quality. Katie Katz notes that the form of the glass and the smoothness of the sandblasted texture help indicate the proficiency of the artist.