Glass in the Islamic World/Glass of the Sultans
Corning Museum of Glass

Last week while traveling through upstate New York, the family and I made an impromptu side trip to Corning, NY, in response for a radio ad we heard for "Glass of the Sultans: Glass in the Islamic World," an exhibition of rare and exquisite Islamic glass, on display now through September 3rd. This was my first-ever trip to Corning and the Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG) and I was not disappointed.

I envisioned a traditional type of museum – boy, was I wrong! The CMOG is a contemporary edifice built to exalt the many facets of glass and glass-making history in Corning NY. The entire village of Corning, which is very quaint, is a testament to the superb quality and artistic ability of the artisans located there. Glass of all sorts, of all ages, of all forms, can be found in this marvelous little valley at the edge of the Finger Lakes Region.

Glass of the Sultans, presented jointly with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is located in the Art and History Galleries of the Museum. All areas of the Middle East are represented, from Iran & Iraq to Syria & Egypt, and the individual pieces are marvelous in their delicate features and coloring. Early glassmaking conjured up visions of thick-walled cumbersome pieces in my mind, and this is not the case at all! That these delicate, ornate and beautifully colored pieces have survived over ten centuries is a miracle in itself.

"Glassmaking was a flourishing industry in Egypt and the Middle East when there areas where conquered by the Arabs. Later, Islamic glassmakers developed new forms and types of ornament. They also revived or rediscovered ancient techniques. In addition, they discovered at least one new technique: staining."

If you find yourself in upstate New York before September 3, 2001, try and find the time to visit Corning NY and the Corning Museum of Glass. You won’t be disappointed with any aspect of the museum, but you will especially enjoy seeing "The Glass of the Sultans." If you miss it in Corning, the exhibit will be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New3 York City from October 2001 through January 2002.

A Brief History of Islamic Glassmaking Corning Museum of Glass

One Museum Way
Corning, NY 14830
Admission Charged

Types of Travel to Egypt by Jimmy Dun
Neil Bush Family Visits El Gouna by Hazel Heyer
Party Time in Ancient Egypt by Ilene Springer
Camel Trekking in the Sinai by Joyce Carta
Nuweiba by Jimmy Dunn
Egyptian Hajj Painting by Sonny Stengle
Where Have All the Pharaohs Gone by Anita Stratos
Marvelous Melokiyah by Mary Kay Radnich
Exploring Isis by Catherine C. Harris
Never Mind, Just Crossing the Moon by Arnvid Aakre
Editor's Commentary By Jimmy Dunn
Ancient Beauty Secrets By Judith Illes
Book Reviews Various Editors
Hotel Reviews By Jimmy Dunn & Juergen Stryjak
Kid's Corner By Margo Wayman
Cooking with Tour Egypt By Mary K Radnich
The Month in Review By John Applegate
Egyptian Exhibitions By Staff
Egyptian View-Point By Adel Murad
Nightlife Various Editors
Egypt On Screen By Carolyn Patricia Scott
Restaurant Reviews Various Editors
Shopping Around Various Editors
Web Reviews By Siri Bezdicek Prior Issues
July 1st, 2001
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