Topic: What is it , please.

[rosieposie]

Hi Cheryl :hi:
I believe that Leedam used wooden molds for their satinised glass ducks, and as they wore through with use, were replaced.  This is what I have been told, it it would be good to have this verified by a Leerdam collector who is familiar with their techniques.

[chopin-liszt]

To my knowledge, wooden moulds only get used once - they tend to catch fire.

But I suppose it would depend how wet the wood is - after all, the paddles used for shaping the gather are fruit wood......

[rosieposie]

I meant Leerdam, not Leedam, sorry  :pb:

I understand the molds were kept soaked in water between uses, but this is only what I have been told.....I really must do more research into glass making methods...... :wsh:

[Ivo]

Turning moulds are made from beech wood and kept under water and are used many times over - but they are not suitable for countoured pieces like figurines. In a turning mould the contact between the wet wood and the hot glass creates a vapour layer which stops the wood from burning. Press glass moulds are made from cast iron.  Wooden moulds can also be used dry a limited number of times; in that case the wood burns and the wood grain gets imparted on the piece. Pioneered by Wirkkala, this is an expensive technique and quite rare.
Any mould in a complicated shape needs to be made hinged, in 2, 3 or 4 parts so as to allow the freeing of the workpiece - so cast iron is the choice.