Many people think traditional mouth blowing glass is synonymous with glassblowing but that’s only a type of it. A more precise method to create glass apparatuses known as lathe blown glass has also gained the attention of many bead enthusiasts.
And this is why here’s a complete guide by us on mouth-blown and lathe blown glass and differences between them. But before venturing into the main topic, let’s gain some knowledge about glassblowing. So here we go!
What Is Glassblowing?
- It is a glass-forming technique where molten glass is shaped by blowing air into it through a long metal tube. More precisely, in this technique, the molten glass is inflated into a bubble with the aid of a blowpipe.
- This method of glassblowing has been there since its development in the Middle East around 200-300 BC. Even in the 21st century, glass-blown products have retained their spot of being an essential part of everyday life. It does so by taking part in the production of numerous innovations and art forms.
- It is said that the first glass-blown products were glass tubes, glass rods, and tiny blown bottles. These products were found dumped at a ritual bath in Jerusalem.
- The art of tube blowing is much more than just an experiment done by glassworkers, it is a revolutionary step that induced a change in conception and a thorough understanding of glass. A person who performs the work of blowing glass is called a glassblower.
The art of glassblowing is basically of two types. The first type is called Mouth blowing which is used globally for creating decorative and utility-based pieces. The other type is called Lathe blown and is not very common as it is mainly used for laboratory and scientific glass production.
Having proper knowledge about these methods can make you understand the process of glass-production better. So, let’s learn about these types in more detail.
What Is the Mouth Blowing Method?
- This is the most basic and oldest method of glass design. It is also considered the original method which helps in working with the glass.
- In this technique, the artist places a heated and molten glass at the end of the blowpipe. This end of the blowpipe is known by many professionals as “gather”. This blowpipe is then carefully rotated and inflated. It is done while maintaining the proper temperature of the gather and incorporating air into the glass. This allows the glass to get the intended shape.
- Now, the glass needs to be removed. An iron rod is used to free the vessel from the blowpipe. Once the process is done, the vessel is heated again and further clarifications are made to the shape and form.
Each piece of mouth-blown glass is unique due to the beautiful irregularities made by rapid heating and cooling. The mouth-blown beads are extremely alluring and are meant to give an elegant touch to its wearer.
If you need one such bead to enhance your beauty, we recommend you Venetian Bead Shop’s Blown Murano Glass Round Gold Foil as they are authentic Murano blown beads, completely hollow inside with the signature Ca’d’oro appearance. These are designed for focal beads and are also often used in Christmas ornaments or decorations.
If you want to buy something luxurious, you should go for Red Filigrana Orchid with an Orange Long Stem. These are formed by combining the flowers made of Murano Glass Red Filigrana and clear Stems of Boro. Group a couple for a beautiful display of flowers that require no watering and don’t wilt on a hot day.
What Is Lathe Blowing Glass Method?
- This is a complex technique to make some of the most reliable, durable, and accurate pieces of scientific apparatus. The lathe glassware is found almost in every laboratory. The most important work of Lathe is to grab and rotate glass tube or rod during the glass fabrication process.
- To create a super-efficient lathe blown glass, a glass blower commences with a molten globule of glass from a furnace and shapes it into containers and artistic objects. To make scientific apparatus, the glass blower begins with an existing piece of specialist glass equipment and modifies it into the required shape.
Differences Between Mouth Blown And Lathe Blown Glass
Application :
The decorative mouth-blown glass pieces in someone’s bedroom or living room come from a technique that requires one to take a piece of molten glass and use a glass mold or blow tube. These are used for ornamental or decorative purposes.
While lathe blowing is a newer more precise method that is used to create sturdy lab and science glass products.
Material Used:
Compared to the normal globe of glass used in mouth blowing, lathe blowing uses a special kind of glass known as borosilicate glass.
Technique:
In case of mouth blowing glass, the artist molds the glass by blowing into the tube while rotating the glass to shape it. Depending on what the artist is creating, he may need to gather more molten glass to add to his creation. Once shaped and molded, the artist then trims the glass and removes it from the blow tube.
Now unlike mouth blowing, lathe blowing uses a machine to create and either a handheld or machine guided flame to mold the glass.
Parting Notes
Get yourself beautiful blown glassware and add a level of sophistication to your room or lab. If you wish to buy more blown Murano beads, you can browse for the same at our store. At Venetian Bead Shop, you will get a variety of options of beads that are mouth-blown using transparent Murano glass.
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