Artisan Organization: Hebron Glass

Country: Palestinian Territories 

The land surrounding the ancient city of Hebron is rich with sand and clay, making it no wonder that glassware and ceramics are such prevalent handicrafts of the region. Hebron is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, with archeological finds dating back some 5,000 years. 

To make this piece, recycled bottles are smashed into pieces and melted in high temperature ovens. In Phoenician glass blowing, artisans add substances to the molten glass, creating a range of colors within each piece. Working with this process takes an especially skilled hand, and is reserved for the true masters of the art.