The Craft

Manipulating Glass in Fusion

This is a veritable art trade born over 2,000 years ago. The basic technique consists of gathering the glass in fusion at the end of a hollow pipe into which one blows in order to give the object the desired shape. The Glassblower, depending on his/her experience, occupies various positions corresponding to the different stages of the objects' manufacturing process

"The basic technique consists of gathering the glass in fusion at the end of a hollow pipe into which one blows to give the object the desired shape."."     First step: Gathering. Glass is obtained from sand brought to its point of fusion at approximately 300°C. At the end of a hollow steel pipe, 1.40m in length, the gatherer withdraws a gob of glass in fusion from the kiln. The gob varies in size depending on the future object: a Christmas tree bulb, lighting fixture, a champagne glass ...

Then the glassblower delouses and smoothes it, that is, eliminates the impurities and rolls it in a wooden hollow mould to spread the thickness evenly. And only then does the glassblowing occur. The specialist blows into it, lifting the pipe, to blow-up the gob. This gesture, repeated several times, is executed freely, releasing the hands or guiding into a mould, where the long, red-glowing bulb is placed. This is where the mass of glass takes shape: it is the rough-cutting process.

Finally, it is the hot-working stage. The gatherer brings a fresh quantity of matter in fusion to the chief blower who places it onto the rough-cut with his pipe. Using handle shears, the chief blower stretches the gob to shape a delicate part of the object, the stem of a champagne glass, for example. Then, another glass-maker finishes the work using a palette. The object is hence detached from the pipe for firing, before gradually being cooled.



Working Conditions
Hot and Noisy

Development of these skills has undergone little change over time. The glassblower generally uses manual or partially mechanised systems. He works in a hall, a workshop where the kilns are located and the hot-working of the glass takes place. He is required to follow a manufacturing diagram, to repair or imagine the objects. On a daily basis: teamwork coordination, heat and noise.

Traditional glassblowing by mouth is at times replaced in the factory by sending a blast of compressed air which shapes the gob in a wrought iron mould. This technique enables the creation of flasks, in particular. The Glassblower, René Lalique has conferred his patent of nobility upon this industrial process.

"He is required to follow a manufacturing diagram, to repair or imagine the objects. On a daily basis: teamwork coordination, heat and noise."     Another possibility: glassblowing with a blowpipe, used especially for creating laboratory vessels, certain neon signs and decorative objects. The glass tubes or draw-rods are shaped, blown or stretched using a flame or blowpipe.

Approximately 80 % of glassblowers are employees in large crystal manufacturing plants in the East of France, such as Baccarat, Bayel, Daum, Lalique or Saint-Louis. Some may be employed in artisan workshops manufacturing glass tableware or ornamentation. Also, some choose to work on their own.



Required Skills
Rapidity, Dexterity and Creativity

It is out of the question to treat quartz in the same manner as pyrex, or crystal as ordinary glass. The glassblower is perfectly familiar with glass products and their properties. Skilful and quick, he has a sense of shape and volume. A pronounced artistic sense indeed constitutes an asset.

Manipulating matter in fusion requires supporting the heat and being in perfect control of safety regulations. Nothing is unknown in the area of machining and glass working, the glassblower is familiar with using and adjusting machine-tools (glass lathes, tube end-cutting machines …). Meticulous in detail, he is capable of reading industrial diagrams and possesses notions of physics and chemistry.

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