[Steppes] Roman Standards

[AlKudsi at aol.com]

Do you mean the gather kiln? At least, I know that the melted glass prepared 
for glassblowing is called the gather...
 
At Murano, because it is a whole series of furnaces and workspaces, they have 
a centralized location for the production of the initial melted glass. If you 
are using coloring agents, you take up a gather then place it in the glory 
hole (furnace) into a receptacle and add the coloring agents. Glass blowing is 
fascinating to watch.  Boy, but you better practice breathing techniques before 
you try, though! I think glass pulling is considered somewhat easier.
 
I don't know of too many SCAers who do actual glass blowing or working. I've 
seen glass artisans, and a lot of us make various kinds of glass beads using 
the different techniques, but actual production of glass from raw materials to 
finished project is a rare artform.
 
Saqra