Murano glass making tools

Murano glass making tools our masters use

In this article we are going to analyse and explain the glassmaking tools that help our glassmakers creating those stunning Murano glass creations.

Bardella. Wooden board fixed to one of the master's thigh (or two, one on each thigh) to support the rod during processing. Then, it is replaced by arms on the scagno.

Baloton. Metal mold with tips in the shape of a small pyramid with a square base on the internal walls. As a result, the glass gets a diamond-shaped decoration.

Bolo. Mass of glass taken from the crucible with the blow pipe from which, after the appropriate blowing and processing, the artifact ( also Pea or post ) will come out.

Borsella. Pliers of different sizes and shapes used for specific operations of modeling, narrowing, cutting and decoration of the glass.

Bronzin. Iron plate, but in the past was of marble or bronze, on whose surface the glassmaker rolls the bole to give it a cylindrical or pear shape. Another name for this operation is “marmorizar”.

Canna da soffio. Iron tube with one of the two ends of a slight conical shape. It has a hole along its length. With this tool glassmakers take the glass from the crucible, and then they blow it and shape the object by hand or mold.

Cazza da infornare. Shovel to pour the frit and cotizzi into the crucible (from a document of 1347).

Cazza da missiar. Iron tool with a long handle ending in a spoon to take the molten glass from one crucible to another.

Cazza da traghettar. Shovel to remove the already melted glass from the crucible and pour it into basins full of water (from a document of 1348).

Crogiolo. Container in refractory material that contains, in the oven, the mixture of raw materials for melting, also called "pan". In ancient documents, the refractory material is referred to as "tera" or "creda".

Inghier. Iron hook to put and remove the oven's door (from a document of 1770).

Levada. Removal of the molten glass from the crucible with the blow pipe.

L’Era. Annealing zone. The English term “lehr” or “leer” (current annealing furnace) derives from this.

Manaretta o Maneretta. Tool similar to a comb to obtain surface decorations for example like the "feathered" or "Phoenician" glass.

Paletta de Metallo. Long-handled metal tool to carry a small object which must then be completed.

Pontello. Solid iron rod that supports the glass when you want to work it in the part initially attached to the blowpipe.

Scanno o scagno. Three-legged stool on which the master sits. It is a characteristic element of glass processing in the Mediterranean area. However, in the European glass production, the master works standing, therefore he doesn't need this tool (from a document of 1313).

Serauro. Oven mouth.

Speo. Small solid iron barrel designed to take small quantities of glass from the crucible for decoration.

Spinador de fornaza o Spinanaur da Messedar veri. Iron used to mix the glass in the crucible. It puts certain dyes into already melted glass and mix (from documents of 1439 and 1512). The operation today is called "dar a spignauro".

Stizador. Oven and annealing attendant. It gradually moves the objects from the hottest area towards the oven mouth.

Supieto. Iron rod perforated lengthwise and ending with a cone. The master blows into it to make the thickness of the glass homogeneous.

Tagianti. Scissors of various shapes used during processing to cut the still hot glass in excess.

What are you waiting for? Buy now our magnificent Murano glass. Here following some samples.