Antique Czech large oval glass jewel prism hand press molding pliers tool

Antique vintage Czech original glass press molding pliers. These were made for pressing a large oval flatback glass jewel or prism. Stamped with "JU", the workers initials and a reference number. These are still in working condition, having been used up to the latter part of the last century. The surface metal does have some pitting which is to be expected. A nice collectible part of Czech Bohemian glass making history.

The pliers weigh 2.9kg (6.4lb), are approximately 22 inches in length and the finished glass would measure 90 x 35mm or 3.5" x 1.3".
Dating from the early part of the last century this is a traditional tool, used in the times prior to full mechanisation. The actual making of the glass at this time, on the whole, remained a cottage industry, in that the pliers and attached molds were bought and used by individuals or families who would work from home to supply the companies that would trade the finished items. Each house would have a furnace in which glass rods were heated before the glass items were individually pressed before being polished by hand. Most tools were unique to one glassmaker as the molds were extremely expensive to produce.