In Marinha Grande, glass has been part of the landscape for almost three centuries. It was here, in the 18th century, that the Royal Glass Factory was set up, making use of the local sand and the wood of the Leiria pine forest. Ever since, the town has been known as the Portuguese capital of glass, and the craft has passed from master to apprentice, furnace after furnace.
Today there are still people who work glass by hand, piece by piece. Here we explain, simply, how a hand-blown vase, bowl or candle holder comes to life.
1. The furnace
It all starts in the furnace, where the glass is molten at over a thousand degrees. With the blowpipe, a long metal tube, the glassmaker gathers a small amount of glowing glass. Often several layers are gathered, one on top of the other, until there is the right amount for the piece.
2. Blowing and shaping
While still hot, the glass is rolled on a smooth surface to make it symmetrical. Then the master blows through the pipe and creates an air bubble inside: the beginning of the piece. With the glass always turning so it keeps its shape, they use pincers, tongs and wet wooden blocks to stretch, open or fold it. None of this is measured in millimetres: it is measured by eye and by hand.
3. Colour and texture
Colour is added as grains or powder, which fuse with the hot glass. That is how the dots of colour in the NIU lamps are born, the filaments of the Sweet Flavour vases, which recall spun sugar, or the volcanic surface of the White Vulkanic bowls. Because every gesture is different, no piece comes out the same as the one before.
4. Annealing
Once the shape is done, the piece goes into an annealing oven, where it cools slowly for hours. This step is invisible but essential: if the glass cooled suddenly, it would hold tensions and could break. Only after annealing is the piece checked, finished and packed.
Small differences, great value
A tiny air bubble, a variation in colour or a thicker filament are not flaws: they are the sign that the piece was made by hand. That is what sets hand-blown glass apart from a mass-produced object.
Marinha Grande pieces at Mão Feitio
We work with Glasscor, a hand-blown glass brand born in Marinha Grande. We have selected:
- Glow Together candle holders: hand-blown glass with natural wax pearls and a reusable wick, in smoky green, smoky, mustard and mocha mousse. Simply refill when the wax runs out.
- Sweet Flavour vases, in ivory and pink, lovely with flowers or on their own.
- White Vulkanic bowls, a limited edition for the centre of the table.
- NIU lamps, sculptures by day that spread a warm, colourful light at night.
How to care for hand-blown glass
- Clean with a soft cloth and warm water, without abrasive products.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature, such as very hot water in cold glass.
- With candle holders, never leave a burning candle unattended.
See all the pieces in Glass or in the Luz & Transparência world. They are gifts that last well beyond Christmas. We currently deliver within Portugal only.