JOSEF MARCOLIN, born 1933 in Rom, Italy, son of a venetian father and a tuscan mother, was in his early years - right after worldwar II - introduced into the world of glassmaking on the island of Murano, Venice - known for more than tousand years of glassmaking tradition. Taught by famous venetian glassmasters, among his godfather, Josef was active present on glassworks with Mr. Picasso, Mr. Courbousier, Mr. Wright and other famous artists and architects. In private life Josef Marcolin and his wife Renate, which live now in Salzburg/Austria, prefer excellent and spicy italian food (doppio, doppio - extra, extra) and wine and passionate golf-playing. The Credo of Josef Marcolin: Genuine hand-sculptured art crystal = the result of love and sweat, Raw material = fascinating molten crystal (1200° C) Qualities: In the liquid state = glowing, flowing, living In the solid state = man's copy of nature's most intricate piece of art - the diamond Since the dawn of Man, the human hand, nature's most elaborate instrument, has imposed its will upon the forms and forces of nature. Yet in no field has it been more successful in achieving and ever surpassing its desire to create beauty than in the field of shaping art crystal. The hand has learned to master and form the glowing, living matter through inspiration, muscular power, the sensitivity of the fingertips, with simple tools, all in the few seconds preceeding solidification. The hands have learned to give to the material a symbolic expression of its own life and motion, to be frozen there forever.