Book excerpt: -- Published to coincide with a major exhibition. -- Examines in depth the historical background of each designer and firm, their styles and techniques. This introduction to the most innovative period of goth century glass-making was published to coincide with The Art of Glass - Art Nouveau to Art Deco exhibition at the Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery. The fascinating history of art glass in this Period begins in the 1880's with the precursors to Art Nouveau, follows the creations of Galle, Daum and Muller Freres. It continues with the development of opalescent, frosted and clear molded glass -- especially Lalique, Art Deco, functionalism, Orrefors and English and Scottish glass. But it is above all the glass itself, beautifully reproduced in full color, that brings to life one of the most exciting and creative periods in the history of art glass.