Glassblowing is the practice of shaping a mass of glass softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube. It is used to create fine art and to mass-produce commercial goods. The craft was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the 1st century Κα΄α΄. In the areas of Sidon, Aleppo, Hama, and Palmyra, blown vessels for everyday and luxury use were produced commercially and exported to all parts of the Roman Empire. During the Renaissance, Italian master glassblowers, especially from Venice, transformed glassblowing into a refined art form with artistic and technical innovations such as crystals and filigree glass. Their influence continued to shape glassblowing for centuries. Modern Italian glassblowers pushed the boundaries of the craft by simplifying forms, experimenting with color and surface texture, and developing new cutting and grinding techniques.
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