Glasstone has earned a prominent position as an innovative and authentic glass monument maker and the world's leader in layered glass headstone production. Glass artist Ernest Vitin (Ernests Vītiņš) brought a new breeze into the stagnant conventional commemoration scene, where, for many centuries, granite and boulder monuments had prevailed in cemeteries worldwide.
Glass artist Ernest Vitin began mastering the layered glass technique during his bachelor's studies at the Department of glass art of the Art Academy of Latvia. At this point, Ernest encountered the fact that the academics and public highly appreciated the esthetics of the layered glass technique. Still, no one could teach him how to make endurable layered glass sculptures. He was interested in making monumental layered glass sculptures and monuments that would retain their original brilliance and quality over time. He aimed to research and master the technique of layered glass firsthand and reach the fewest possible changes in his works exposed to the changing climatic conditions. Ernest laid the foundations for a bright and light remembrance in 2010, choosing to make a monument in layered glass technique as the subject of his master thesis. The tombstone "Vītiņi", devoted to his family, installed in 2011 at the historic First Forest Cemetery in Riga, became the building block of the Glasstone creative headstone studio. Today, Glasstone is pleased to accept orders from around the world.
In search of possible variations in the configuration of glass monuments, glass artist Ernest Vitin took the shape of classical tombstones as the basis of the new glass monuments but embodied them in a completely innovative way. The story of the classic stone monument with a polished front and a chiselled stone back was retold. Headstones and monuments were brought to an entirely fresh and light appearance. These innovative metaphors of traditional values made of glass were elaborated with time and can be found in Glasstone's Classic collection.
Through the in-depth study of the possibilities of layered glass technique. This allows diversification of the use of glass and the creation of increasingly complex variations in shape and size. Every day countless novelties are generated in the studio led by artist Ernests Vitins, thus making Glasstone glass monuments truly special, luxurious and, equally importantly - durable! These increasingly brave flights of creative thought and their embodiment are best seen in the diversity and realisation of Glasstone's bespoke orders.
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Shipping and delivery
As soon as the glass memorial is ready, we share photos/videos with you for evaluation, prepare it for shipment and make installation instructions. We survey logistics companies to find and offer you the best delivery option. We can do the survey as soon as we know the delivery address and the exact configuration of the shipment - size and weight. We have established successful cooperation with transportation companies in various countries, but we are also open to collaboration with other logisticians, which you propose and choose! |
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Production duration
The production of glass monuments lasts from 30 workdays. It mainly depends on the complexity of the design and the ongoing workload during the particular period. The work volume is usually highest during spring, whereby the production time is the most extended, starting from ~45 workdays. Therefore, we advise ordering a glass monument timely. For example, if you wish to install the memorial in spring/summer, then - autumn/winter is the best time to make the order. |
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Granite base and other stone elements
You may choose to develop the granite base and stone elements with your local stonemasons or us. Making them locally will save you the shipping costs, and the stonemasons may prepare the ground and install the base as soon as it is ready. On rare occasions, making the stone parts with us will be the only option. This applies to designs where the stone and glass have to be very closely fitted (e.g. inlay of stone in glass monument or glass in boulder). |