glassblowing

glassblowing, the practice of shaping a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube. It can be used to create artistic pieces by hand and to mass-produce commercial goods through automated processes.

History

1 of 2

2 of 2

Glass beads shaped using stone-cutting techniques have been found in the remains of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization, dating to the 25th century ʙᴄᴇ. As far back as the 16th century ʙᴄᴇ, ancient Egyptians worked molten glass laid on clay molds into various shapes with a technique called core forming, which is thought to have originated in a Hurrian state. The technique of glassblowing, however, was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the 1st century ʙᴄᴇ. 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. At first glass was blown into decorative molds; vessels shaped as shells, clusters of grapes, and human heads were common early Syrian products. Later, Syrian gaffers (blowers) executed natural, spherical forms without molds.

Glassblowing emerged from a utilitarian industry as a medium of fine art in Italy during the Renaissance, which began in the 14th century ᴄᴇ. Italian master glassblowers of the time, especially those from Venice, transformed glassblowing into a refined art form with the development of artistic and technical innovations such as crystal and filigree glass. Their influence continued to shape glassblowing and glass art in the post-Renaissance period and into the 20th century, when 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. The Studio Glass Movement of the 1960s—marked by a shift in the craft from factory floors to private art studios—saw American artists traveling to Italy to learn from Italian masters, spreading Italian influence globally.

Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.

SIGN UP

" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">

Thank you for signing up!"

Back to homepage

By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Technique

The technique of glassblowing has remained basically the same to the present day. The “metal” (molten glass having the consistency of molasses) is gathered on the end of a hollow pipe, inflated to a bubble, and formed into a vessel by blowing, swinging, or rolling on a smooth stone or metal surface (marver). Additions, such as stems, feet, or handles, are attached by welding. While still soft the glass can be manipulated with hand tools or cut with shears. In the 17th century ᴄᴇ the gaffer’s “chair,” a bench with two extended arms on which the pipe is trundled to preserve the symmetry of the molten glass, came into use. The term chair has been extended to include the glassmaking crew—the gaffer and two or three assistants.

Types

Two main types of glassblowing are practiced. In free blowing the molten glass at the end of a blowpipe is inflated by blowing air into it and shaped by hand, without a mold. In mold blowing the molten glass is inflated into a mold instead, which gives the glass piece its final shape and size. Most custom and decorative glass is crafted by free blowing, which reflects the gaffer’s artistic and technical skill. Modern glassblowing may combine the two techniques in some cases. Mold blowing provides the initial shape to the glass, which is then worked further using free blowing to add artistic details. A variant of traditional glassblowing is torchblowing, also called lampworking or flameworking. The technique involves using a blowtorch to heat and melt glass, which is then handcrafted into desirable shapes.

Keep Exploring the World of Glass

The Italian Glasswork Prized Worldwide

The “Island of Light” and Its Glasswork

The Glass That Is a Thousand Flowers

The Art and Science of Stained Glass