How are Mdina Glass pieces made?

Mdina Glass pieces are made using traditional glassblowing methods that date back centuries. Molten glass is heated in a furnace at temperatures close to 1,100°C. Skilled artisans gather the molten glass on the end of a blowpipe, then shape it by blowing air into it while rotating the pipe. Colour is added using mineral oxides or coloured glass chips, which are layered and fused into the surface. The shaping process is done entirely by hand, using simple tools such as paddles, jacks, and metal shears. Each piece is then placed in an annealing oven where it cools slowly over several hours. This cooling stage prevents cracks and strengthens the glass. Production at Mdina Glass remains largely manual, with only limited mechanisation. A single artisan can take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete one piece, depending on its size and design. This handmade approach explains why collectors often value Mdina Glass for its slight variations and unique forms.