Glass casting

[1] Blank vessels were then annealed, fixed to lathes and cut and polished on all surfaces to achieve their final shape.

[2] Colourless cast bowls were widespread throughout the Roman world in the late 1st and early 2nd century CE, and may have been produced at more than one centre.

In the process, a small amount of water is added to the sand-bentonite mixture, and this is well mixed and sifted before addition to an open topped container.

A template is prepared (typically made of wood, or a found object or even a body part such as a hand or fist) which is tightly pressed into the sand to make a clean impression.

Kiln casting involves the preparation of a mould which is often made of a mixture of plaster and refractory materials such as silica.

[14] Pâte de verre is a form of kiln casting and literally translated means glass paste.

[7][15] In this process, finely crushed glass is mixed with a binding material, such as a mixture of gum arabic and water, and often with colourants and enamels.

Daum, a French commercial crystal manufacturer, produce highly sculptural pieces in pate de verre.