The first vestiges

The oldest vessels were made by core forming, a technique that was created around the middle of the 16th century and which would be used right up until the invention of glassblowing in the last century. The glassmaker created the core around a metal rod.

This core or "mandrel" was in the shape of the piece to be produced and it was enveloped in hot glass.

The piece cooled down and the "mandrel" which turns very flaky in the heat, was removed.

This is how small narrow-necked bottles were manufactured, they were always rough on the inside because of the grainy imprint from the mandrel.