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terminology

Free blown

Glassblowing at a furnace is the best-known method of working glass. It requires a hollow metal blowpipe about 1.5 metres long, which the glassblower uses to collect a small amount of molten glass, called the ‘gather’, after the glass in the furnace has cooled to around 1,200 °C. Once out of the furnace, the blowpipe must be kept in continuous motion by rotating it to prevent the molten glass from sagging to one side. Repeated ‘gathering’ adds successive layers of glass, gradually building up an object that can weigh as much as fifteen kilograms. Blowing into the pipe gives the object its form. It can then be shaped using a ‘block’ (a wet wooden form), wet newspaper and metal tools, while the pipe is kept constantly moving and the glass periodically reheated. Additional pieces of molten glass can also be fused to the object. See also ‘Mould blown’.

source Eliens, T.M. & Vergeest, A., Museum Jan – ontstaan en collectie, Waanders, Zwolle, 2021, page 121

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An experienced glassblower inflates a glob of molten glass with the aid of a long metal tube. He creates a regular shape by rapidly rotating the blowpipe as he blows; if necessary the shape can be refined with metal instruments. Other pieces of molten glass can be fused to it; this is how a piece like a goblet on a base is made.

source Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

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Glassware shaped solely by inflation with a blowpipe and manipulation with tools.

source Corning Museum of Glass


see YouTube ‘Schitterend Glas 3: vrijgeblazen techniek’

alternate terms

off-hand blown glass, offhand-blown

dutch term

vrijgeblazen