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Mould Room, Jug Making & Blowing
Mould Room
Your first stop on the tour is the mould room, in this department you will see the age - old craft of mould making. Our mould makers carve the shape of a piece out of Beech and pear wood for the blowers to use when blowing and shaping the crystal. Beach and pear wood is the only wood able to tolerate the fierce heat of the molten crystal but they only have a lifespan of about 7-10 days.
Jug Maker
Jug making
The visual feast of the master jug makers at work is spectacular. A highlight for many of our visitors, they stare spellbound as the craftsmen begin their process of adding handle and lip with nothing more technical than some basic tools and their extraordinary hand to eye co-ordination.
Taking a steel rod, the master craftsman attaches it to the jug's base and places it in a small furnace to ensure the lip of the jug is hot enough to be shaped. With only seconds to shape the pouring spout, by hand, another craftsman is preparing the handle and guiding the molten crystal to the jug - careful to keep it in line with the spout. As the crystal cools, he then gently moulds the handle into an arc with all the dexterity and flourish that characterise the definitive skill of a master jug - maker.
Blowing
Blowing
Crystal making has seen many changes in the last 3000 years, yet here at Waterford the principles of glass making have remained constant. Since 1783, we have been producing what is arguably the world's most beautiful crystal. By blowing air with precision through hollow irons into the molten material the depth of the breath influences the shape of the crystal. While this principle has never changed, we have consistently developed advances in technology to produce and refine our crystal products.
Nothing compares with the atmosphere of the furnace room. The first surprise is the noise and the air; then you'll feel the heat and sense the activity of a factory that is truly alive.
In front of your eyes, you will see red-hot molten crystal take shape, in a miracle of light, heat and skill. Our craftsmen are meticulous and you can watch as they transform glowing balls of molten crystal into elegant shapes with skills that have made two hundred years of perfection clearly visible in every piece.