Crystal Cup Trophies – Continuing a Tradition

In one sense, laser-engraved crystal cup trophies would seem to be the height of 21st century scientific enterprise – yet in other respects they’re merely the continuation of an ancient tradition.

Humanity’s fascination with glass

It is perfectly possible to look with not a little awe at modern crystal cup trophies and see them as the ultimate expression of early 21st century science. Some of them are made by using laser engraving techniques that allow a three dimensional image to be engraved into the centre of the crystal, leaving no visible sign on the surface as to how it got there.

In fact, the technique is no secret. You simply put together a very highly detailed three-dimensional design with some computer software. You then use that to drive a laser-engraving machine, which will be focused to deliver its power at a point below the surface of the object concerned.

Of course, that is in no way as easy as it sounds! In reality, the design process is one best conducted by a specialist and, as you might guess, high-capability laser engraving machines are not the sort of tool you will find in the average DIY practitioner’s tool kit!Yet the sophistication of the techniques used might occasionally lead us to overlook the fact that our ancestors were capable of generating some very powerful and evocative images in glass in the past.

How far back?

You only have to look at the windows of the great European medieval cathedrals to see examples of the finest art and design reflected in glass. Generally speaking, there the emphasis was on two-dimensional images that were essentially religious in nature and occasionally narrative. The importance of colour was paramount and the results were and remain to this day, breath-taking.

Later on in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, drinking glasses and vessels were often engraved. A variety of techniques were used, including wheel engraving and acid etching and, sometimes, through brilliant artwork, a semi 3D image was achieved. However, all these techniques left an imprint of some sort on the surface.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, though, we saw things such as paperweights with solid objects inside of what appeared to be an unbroken crystal sphere. We also saw glass paintings where the image appears to sit in the middle of a frame; you couldn't see which surface the image resided on – it appeared to float in the middle of the glass entirely independently of either the front or back surfaces. If you are interested in understanding how our ancestors achieved such visual effects, you can have a lot of fun looking them up on the Internet – we’re not going to spoil that by giving the secrets away here! The key point is that a fascination with images inside solid transparent objects is nothing new.

Cost is a factor

In the past, glass and crystal were phenomenally expensive, particularly when they were decorated with whatever form of techniques touched on above. By and large, these mediums were the preserve of the rich.

One thing nobody can dispute is that modern technologies have allowed 3D engraved crystal cup trophies (and other such objects) to become produced on a scale that means they are within the reach of ordinary people. That is something our ancestors could only have dreamed about.

George Berdichevsky is the Founder of 3Design Center, which designs image files to be used in the production of crystal cup trophies. His team of talented artists can create bespoke images for 3D engraving from any idea or image. Visit the website for more information.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.