In 1946 Ubaldo Pacini, a talented master glassmaker who worked for 'Modesto Boschi', perfected a new system (which first came to mind while he was crafting a paperweight) for the creation of glass objects, which is worth remembering.

The invention, which was patented in 1949, involved the use of a 'half-mould': melted glass introduced with the aid of a blowing cane was used to make a partial mould of the object, which was then completed by exploiting the centrifugal force and pressure created following the transfer of temperature from the melted glass to the wet parts of the 'half-mould'. This technology did not require expensive equipment, but needed tremendous manual ability; the C.A.L.B. (Cristalleria Artistica Lavorazione Brevettata) glassworks was established with the intention of exploiting this new technology.

Mould of wood

The potential of the new system was never fully exploited because glassmaking students found it extremely difficult to learn the technique.
Here we can see half-moulds and a pink glass ashtray made around 1947 by the creator of the new production system. Lastly, a smoking set made especially for the Museum in 24% lead crystal, employing the same rare ability and tools used previously.