Jon Searles' photos with the keyword: glassworks

The grinders used in detailing the products supposedly look more dangerous than they are. This was one of two rows of such machines in a medium-sized room, much like what you might have seen 100-150 years ago in almost any type of factory, although there weren't any overhead driveshafts or belts in this room that I noticed.

The second stage in the glass making process involves cutting, griding and polishing the products. These are unfinished bowls that have been cut, but not polished.

From the outside, which of the glassworks still looks like it's from the 19th Century, with one of the older sections having this old smokestack.

Among the many side projects that Sklarna Nizbor are involved in, one of the trophies produced by the glassworks is the Cesky Lev, or Czech Lion, which is basically the Czech equivalent to the Oscar.

The very next step after the furnace is blowing, which also involves some basic sculpting of the glass products into the rough shape that they're supposed to be.

Sklarna Nizbor, or the Nizbor Glassworks, is actually owned by a company called Ruckl, who make the famous "Bohemia Crystal" that is sold to tourists in Prague. They also do an extensive export business to Russia, the Middle East, Japan, and the U.S., however, and are often held up by Czechs as one of the last Czech industries other than Skoda and the breweries to make a profit. Regrettably, many other Czechs are unaware that this place is still in business.

Operating at temperatures in excess of 1600 degrees Celsius, these furnaces have a limited life span. I've forgotten what the typical lifespan is at Nizbor, but I do remember being told that it's only a few years, and during that time the furnaces can't be shut down, as they'll clog with glass. Therefore, every few years, this furnace assembly has to be completely replaced, usually due to corrosion, according to what I've read. A definitive source on glass furnaces would be nice to clean up this posting, as I've been unable to find a suitable one on the web.