Mexico’s glass making history dates back to the 16th century when it became the first country in the Americas to be introduced to glass by the Spanish. In 1542, the first glass workshop, La Casa de los Vidrios, was established in Puebla by Spanish artisans, marking the birth of glass production in Mexico. Initially, glass making focused on functional, utilitarian products, but over time it evolved into a celebrated art form.
This transformation began in the early 20th century and gained momentum by the mid-20th century with the rise of vidrio soplado (hand-blown glass). Artisans in regions like Tonala and Tlaquepaque began blending traditional techniques with artistic creativity, producing vibrant, imperfect pieces that blurred the boundaries between function and decoration. By the late 20th century, studios like Nouvel Studio advanced this evolution, collaborating with international designers to produce glass that functioned both as art and utility.
Today, Mexican glass making is celebrated globally for its fusion of tradition, artistry, and modern design, with works featured in fine art, jewellery, sculpture, luxury packaging and architecture. Luminosa has a long-standing relationship with Nouvel Studio, where Jonathan Baskett, Luminosa's Creative Director, has frequently collaborated on various projects and led the research and development team in glass design from 2009 to 2011.
Glass making is a deeply hands-on craft, relying on centuries-old tools and methods. The process requires a blend of physical skill, planning, and teamwork. At Luminosa, the creation of a hand-blown lamp begins with molten glass heated to 1100°C (2000°F), with a team of craftsmen working together to shape it. Using traditional techniques passed down for generations, the glass maker gathers glass onto a blowpipe, carefully shaping it through breath, gravity, and dexterous manipulation until the form comes to life.
It’s no surprise that glass as a material makes for beautiful modern lighting. Glass not only absorbs light but also refracts and reflects it, creating mesmerizing effects. Understanding these principles is key to merging artificial light with the material. However, the inherent transparency of glass can sometimes pose challenges in lighting design. At Luminosa, we believe that modern lighting should amplify the material's qualities while also serving a functional purpose. The best lamps not only illuminate a space effectively but also minimize the visibility of the light source. We take great care during the development of our glass lamps and custom lighting projects to select the best lighting systems for each environment.
Another approach is to embrace the visible light source and combine it with the material's natural qualities. In our Cristalino lamps, for example, we incorporate color, pattern, and texture into the glass during production, adding depth and unity to the surrounding space. Despite advancements in LED technology, one thing remains constant—the timeless beauty of the union between hand-blown glass and artificial light.
All our lighting uses LED technology, ranging from standard retro systems (E26 entrance) to custom-integrated LED solutions. While glassblowing techniques have remained unchanged for centuries, lighting technology is undergoing rapid advancements, offering exciting new possibilities for both makers and users. The result is a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, ensuring that our lamps not only enhance their surroundings but also reflect the best of both worlds.