Description

Mould-blowing was adopted in about 25 AD in the glassworks of the Roman Empire, probably on the southern Mediterranean coast.

There are two fundamental types of mould.

The mono-block dip-mould glass, generally made of metal, produces an imprint of a relief decoration on the surface of the glass while it is the glassworker's hand that determines the form with the use of tools.

Closed moulding allows the production not only of decorative motifs on the object, but also a pre-assigned form. Once the assistant opens the form, the craftsman inserts the glass which is already partially blown attached to the blow pipe. Blowing makes the glass adhere to the wall of the mould thereby acquiring the negative form and the decorations. When the mould is opened, the object can be finished with feet, handles and various other applications.

Ancient moulds were made of terracotta, stone, chalk, wood or metal. The most widely used ones today are those made of metal, cast iron and wood without any knots like pear wood.