Monday we marveled at the craftsmanship of the glass blowers on Murano Island in the Venetian lagoon. I wish I had remembered (or recorded or asked) the name of the apprentice craftsman working here:

The glass starts out as sand, heated by methane gas in a furnace at 1,000 degrees Celsius.

Blowing glass is not an expression. It’s what they do.

The artist starts to shape the head of a horse from the glowing lump.

From the still-glowing body of the horse, the craftsman pulls out delicate legs and a tail.

As the horse starts to cool, the craftsman shapes it.

The artist stand the finished horse on its feet and tail.
I’ll add a close-up of the finished horse when we get back home. Right now it’s wrapped to protect it.
Update: And here’s the finished horse.
