Glazing of windows with small, round pieces of glass was very common in the Middle Ages in private homes as well as public buildings. In old towns, some of these windows, set in lead channels, may still be found in sensitively restored buildings.

Genuine rondels are produced one by one at Blenko Glass Company, Inc. in the traditional mouthblown method. Every rondel is a unique piece - brilliant and alive, setting it apart from pressed or cast imitations.

Molten glass is taken from the furnace with the blowpipe. The amount of the glass gathered determines the eventual size in the rondel. The molten glass is blown out into a small bubble. The circumference of the bubble is the second important factor determining the final size to be produced. The production of a uniform, high quality rondel depends on the skill and experience of the "rondelmaster". The small, still hot ball of glass will now be attached to a pontil rod and broken from the blowpipe. After reheating it is opened with a pair of shears. Using a special technique the "rondelmaster" then folds the edges, lending strength to the rondel, making it more workable. Spinning the glass, a small, round rondel is formed. After reaching the desired size, the rondel is tapped off the pontil rod and slowly cooled in an annealing oven.

The characteristic navel, caused by breaking the glass off the blowpipe is an unmistakeable sign of genuinely mouthblown rondel.

Blenko has been producing hand-spun rondels for over 100 years using a process that dates back to Medieval times. Our rondels range in size from 3" up to 14" and can be custom cut into to "bullseye panes" for restoration purposes.

Blenko Glass Rondels Price List:

Rubies will be 25% higher in price.

For further information, please call the Antique Department at 877.425.3656 or
e-mail us at dlemley@blenkoglass.com

© Copyright 2002 by Blenko Glass Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
webmaster@blenkoglass.com