Wooden molds are hollow containers used to give shape when you blow your glass object, whether we talk about goblets, vases or lamps. Visiting a glass factory in Murano is a great experience as you can observe the whole process, from the moment when silica, soda and a wide variety of metal oxides are prepared to the final step of packaging. During the tour in the section of the factory where glass melts in the furnaces, you may notice there are tools employed, some in metal, some in wood, without which a glass artist might not succeed.
In another blogpost I have written about metal tools and the company Andrea Donà, located on the island of Murano, which still today makes them: true jewels in steel. Here you will read about some other jewels or rather wooden sculptures: the pear wood molds and tools by the company Officina Arcangeli, also made in Murano.
Workshop at Officina Arcangeli in Murano
Carlo and Antonio Arcangeli: Murano-made wooden tools for glass masters
It was a real pleasure to interview the two brothers who run Officina Arcangeli, Carlo and Antonio Arcangeli. They gave me an appointment after working hours, which I thought made me understand I should not disturb them while they were at work. In their activity, in fact, there is little time you can waste.
Family business for glass molds and tools in wood
Their company has been led by the same family for three generations. It was the grandfather Vito who started the company in the 1930s. In the early stage, the workshop was not too far from the factory in Murano where the famous glass beads called “conterie” were made. Later on, in the 1960s, it was moved to the calle delle Conterie street, just next to the house where the owners lived. In the 1960s there were around 15 men working in the Officina Arcangeli.
This is a pattern I found to be in common with Carlo Donà company making steel tools for glass artists. Small or middle size companies were strong points in Murano glass industry till recently, often based on family tradition. As if the key for creativity and business success were the dialogue between different generations.
When Vito Arcangeli passed away, his son Pietro took over. When Pietro Arcangeli died in 2008, it was the time for the two sons, already working in the Officina. Now, it’s the two of them alone taking care of this tradition. The only ones in Murano, hopefully not the last ones.
What do glass masters need? Molds, “parciofi” and “magiossi”
Making glass molds in pear wood is what makes this company an excellence in Murano. Wooden molds open like a book and inside you see the shape the blob of glass will acquire when properly blown inside.
What a mold for glass masters looks like inside at Officina Arcangeli in Murano
Another mold in pear wood for glass masters at Officina Arcangeli in Murano, open like a book
In this workshop they also make the so-called “parciofi” and “maiossi”. These are terms belonging to Muranese language — because Murano glass is also a linguistic world.
The “parciofi” are special long tweezers helping the glass blower make a dish or open the mouth of a vase or goblet and give it the right shape, while it is still incandescent.
The “maiossi” or “magiossi” are easy to spot when visiting a glass factory. We are talking about wooden dippers with a handle, helping the glass master give the incandescent blob of glass a perfect spherical shape.
Pear wood coming from Austria
Officina Arcangeli makes all these tools in pear wood from Austria. Why pear wood? It turns out pear wood accomplishes important requirements.
Pear wood mold for glass masters with its holes meant to let the steam out during the glass blowing process at Officina Arcangeli in Murano
Considering these are wooden tools meant to shape glass at the temperature of over 1000 degrees centigrade, pear wood proves to burn in a homogeneous way. It does not scratch glass either — which means it creates no imperfections on the glass surface when it cools down. Pear wood does not feature any knot or protuberance and finally, it easily absorbs water. Oh yes, because it is only thanks to water that these wooden molds can be used in Murano glass masters’ hands.
Why always immersed in water?
As soon as pear trees get cut down, trunks need to be kept wet. If they dried, they would crack and be of no use. In the Arcangeli workshop, you can see a deposit of large trunks waiting to be carved: here water is regularly poured over them according to the season, at least four times a week.
Pear wood trunks soaked at Officina Arcangeli in Murano
Even when the mold or the “maiosso” or the “parciofo” are ready, they immediately need to be immersed in a tank with fresh water and that’s where they will spend the rest of their lives. When glass masters sit at their bench to work, a bucket with their “magiossi” immersed in the water is available next to them. Water is immediately spread on the molds, too, before glass is blown inside and soon after.
Molds immersed in fresh water at Officina Arcangeli in Murano
From paper to glass passing through wood and water
The Officina Arcangeli shapes the molds according to the glass master’s or designer’s specific project in paper. Alternatively, you can also come with a glass object, like an old vase or a goblet and Officina Arcangeli can get the mold out of this single piece so you can make another identical one. Just, consider when traveling, the wood molds need to be immersed in water…
Machines covered in saw dust at Officina Arcangeli in Murano where molds and tools for glass masters are hand made
A metaphor for Murano sculptures
Before leaving, Antonio Arcangeli showed me his hands. The skin lines were violet. He explained to me that this is what happens when you work with pear wood and water, only lemon juice can wash that die away. Violet life lines in the palm of your hands, a most powerful image for true artisanal work which needs to move to younger generations.
by Luisella Romeo
registered tourist guide in Venice, Italy
www.seevenice.it
A fascinating blog, as always. I didn’t know that silky-soft pear wood is used for the molds. I’ve never been on a Murano glassworks tour (but it’s on my “To Do” list) but I have been to Waterford to see the entire Irish crystal making process, from the design studios to watching the smelting process in the furnaces, the blowing, cutting, polishing & packaging of the fine lead glassware. Waterford, it seems also uses wooden molds of beech and pear wood, but they don’t appear to keep them in water. Unlike the Murano process, the dry Irish crystal glass molds only last 7 to 10 days before they must be replaced.
https://www.waterford.com/en-ie/discover-waterford/the-waterford-story/craftsmanship
Thank you for being such a faithful reader, my dear Jill! Very interesting point, that about Waterford. In Murano the wooden tools last 4-5 years. I suppose it has something to do with the kind of glass composition or maybe it depends on beech wood. I will certainly ask!