Working at the Wheel – Cutting and Engraving

Crystal is refined using traditional cutting and
engraving techniques in the Lobmeyr workshops. These
time-honoured methods give the glass its high value.

With the form-giving cut, larger amounts of glass from the annealed glass object, the man-made crystal

from the glass works are removed. The object is pressed against wheels of varying shapes and using

a variety of abrasives. A drinking glass requires up to 15 different wheels. The finish is also critical.
The industrial acid polish is not used as it removes the precision of hand cutting. Instead, the glass is
brought to shine using a special polish in three steps on rotating felt and cork wheels.

An exceptional decorating technique is copper wheel engraving. An abrasive is applied to the edge

of a copper wheel and the glass pressed against it. An experienced engraver can create every required
shade and pattern by varying the rim profile and size of the disk, speed of rotation, abrasive and order
of cuts. Lobmeyr engravings include everything from the simple monogram to a diverse range of
decorations as well as large, elaborate pieces of work, the“paintings” on glass. Knowledge of this
craft has become increasingly rare and needs time and patience: An engraved letter requires an
average of one hour’s work. Pieces demanding over 1000 hours of engraving are no exception.

“Prismenschliff“ jardinière, Josef Hoffmann 1914
Detail of an elaborate copper wheel engraving
right page, from left to right:
Marking a monogram with china ink
Cutting the main lines of a monogram
Finishing polish of a facetted goblet
Various copper wheels at the work bench of an engraver