Closely related to core-forming, the technique of rod-
forming allows the glassmaker to fashion long
cylindrical vessels, beads, amulets, and ornaments
such as the ear plugs by winding successively re-
heated glass canes around a metal pike. This pike or
copper-containing metal rod was in the earliest
periods covered with a parting layer of calcite, clay,
and sand in varying proportions which served to
separate the resulting glass object from the rod easily.
While the metal rod was rotated, it was covered by a
glass trail in order to form the object. Winding
became the most popular method for the
manufacturing of glass beads. Many beads still exhibit
traces of the parting layer which adheres to the inner
side of the bead’s rod hole. Some examples even
reveal the glass thread´s tail end which was not united
with the body of the bead. Pendants and other small
articles can also be formed on the on the tips of such
rods if coated with a separating agent. The diameter
and exact shape of the rods vary, depending on the
required size of the interior cavity of the vessel or
object. The rod is removed before annealing.
