Production

For centuries glassblowing was almost the only process available for moulding large glass products, which we called hollow glass (tableware, flasks, bottles) and plate glass (window panes and mirrors).

The distinction between the two was reinforced by the specialisation and the geographic concentration of the different glassworks, something which only became evident in Belgium as of the second half of the 19th century :

• glass tableware producers and crystalworks: mainly in the central regions
  
• flasks and bottles : Charleroi
  
• plate glass: Charleroi
  
• mirrors : Basse-Sambre region (Auvelais, Moustier, …)

In all sectors, hot moulding can be carried out after annealing a piece of work that has been cooled ready for decorating or for adding specific properties to the product.