Design: Kitengela Hot Glass Chandeliers
Kitengela Hot Glass [Kenya]
[Image Credit: Westend House Chandelier – Kitengela Hot Glass]
Picture heavy wooden doors inlaid with bejeweled glass panels that greet your guests each time they visit; that’s just one of the images that come to mind when I see the imaginative glass products from Kenyan company, Kitengela Hot Glass. Glass blowing is a fascinating craft; just watching the molten glass take shape at the end of the pipe I am always amazed at the end results. Bordering the Nairobi National Park, Kitengela Hot Glass was established in 1991 by Anslem Croze who studied his craft in France and Holland under the tutelage of leading Master glass-blowers.
Anslem and the craftsmen he employed started out by learning as they went along, developing and refining the production process to suit their innovative designs and today the business provides employment for 35 people. Attracting visitors from all over the world who come to see the art of glass blowing in practice; the studio-cum-gallery and furnace are housed in a unique redbrick dome set on the edge of the Kenyan wilderness and as Anslem explains, “It’s where the magic happens. Our dome has more than 1,000 glass stars inset into the ceiling in an accurate rendition of the night sky…” Due to its location the premises faced the challenge of having no electricity and this called for the development of energy-saving processes that would be kind to the environment but still providing for their needs.
[Image Credits: top, African Skies Incalmo Bowl;
bottom, Maasai Necklace, Cultural Heritage Art Gallery – Kitengela Hot Glass]
Glass is all the more precious because of its fragility and each eye-catching piece is handmade using recycled materials from broken windows to colourful glass bottles; all refashioned into functional, stylish objects from intricately formed vases, goblets, coffee tables to majestic murals, lamps, and windows, objects that exude jewel-like tones as they capture and reflect the light. Kitengela Hot Glass caters to the public as well as undertaking commissions for private clients including leading restaurants, hotels, lodges and discerning corporate clients throughout Africa and the world. Anslem is inspired by the can-do approach instilled in local Kenyan artisans and has applied the same ethos to Kitengela Hot Glass making everything work through a flexible approach encouraging continuous innovation. The company has three shops located in Nairobi, a wholesale outlet at the studio and an outlet at the Cultural Heritage Centre in Arusha Tanzania.
[Image Credit: Bathroom Panel, Architectural design – Kitengela Hot Glass]
A small company, Kitengela Hot Glass adheres to fair trade guidelines investing in the workforce through fair pay, training, medical assistance, transport and decent working hours. The company also supports the local community in particular the local school; supplying furniture, textbooks and water; and have also bestowed individual scholarships on students with the local orphanage.
[Image Credit: Nova Ambient Light Chandelier – Kitengela Hot Glass]
…some truly inspired products from an amazing craft, bringing the wow factor into your home or establishment
Additional details:
For further information and to order visit: www.kitengela.com
Kitengela Hot Glass delivers internationally
Orders can take between 4-8 weeks to complete
