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What tools are used to shape molten glass during glassblowing?
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glassware
Fish of core-made glass with “combed” decoration, Egyptian, New Kingdom, 18th dynasty (c. 1363–46 bc). In the British Museum. 0.141 m × .069 m.
In the practice of glassblowing, several specialized tools are essential for manipulating molten glass into decorative or functional forms:
- Blowpipe: A hollow metal tube used to gather, inflate, and shape the molten glass.1
- Pontil: A solid metal rod tipped with molten glass, used to attach to the bottom of a piece for finishing.1
- Marver: A flat, smooth surface, typically made of metal, used for rolling and shaping the molten glass.1
- Shears and Tweezers: Hand tools used to cut and manipulate the glass while it remains soft.1
- Gaffer’s Chair: A bench featuring two extended arms; the blowpipe is trundled along these arms to maintain the symmetry of the glass.1
Additionally, safety equipment such as heat-resistant gloves and goggles is required to protect the artisan while working with the furnace, which melts glass at approximately 1,093 °C (2,000 °F).1