Hand crafting

Traditional Glassblowing

The current glass production in Harrachov, while adapting to new demands, maintains strong ties to its tradition. At a time when automated glass production has reached near perfection, the glassworks in Nový Svět remains exclusively focused on handmade production.

Product Sketch

Before production, a technical drawing must be created with information on the height, volume, diameter of the upper rim, diameter of the bottom, widest diameter, and glass thickness. Based on this drawing, a template called "pauza" is made for the form maker to create the specific mold.

Wooden Mold Production

Most molds are made from beech wood. The logs must be healthy and sufficiently water-soaked, so they are immersed in a pond and used only after sinking to the bottom. After being pulled out, the logs are cut, the raw wood block is mounted on a lathe, and the desired shape is turned using chisels. The mold is then split, fitted with interlocking grooves, and finished with carving chisels. After measurement and the addition of wooden handles, the mold is ready.

Glassblowing in the Glassworks

During production, glass is taken from the furnace using glass blowing pipes. The glassblower shapes the glass in a wooden mold and moves to the vat with the mold. By pressing a pedal, the mold emerges from the water, and the glassblower blows the shape of the goblet into it. The blower passes the goblet with the pipe to a colleague on the bench, who shapes a thin stem. The last glassblower completes the base of the goblet, and the finished goblet, along with the pipe, is transferred to the cooling oven. The production of a single goblet involves five glassblowers and one assistant, with more complex goblets requiring up to seven or more people.

Initial Processing

During initial processing, the goblet is first separated from the glassblowing pipe. The goblet is scored with a tungsten carbide knife and exposed to a sharp flame, causing it to break precisely at the scored point. After breaking, the sharp edges of the goblet are ground on a horizontal grinding wheel. The goblet is then moved to a washing machine and subsequently to a rotating carousel, where a sharp flame melts the upper edge of the goblet until it rounds off. This phase is followed by quality control, packaging, and shipping to the customer.