Dali Keepsakes

Enchanting collection of artistic crystal keepsakes, hand made by master artisans in the Czech Republic. Contrasting black lid elegantly complements this contemporary art piece.

Urn Glassblowing

The raw materials are mixed in pots of fireproof earthenware and heated to approximately 1400 degrees Celsius.

• The glassblower dips his blow pipe of cast iron in the liquid crystal (the batch) and draws out the required amount for the making of the urn (gathering).
• The drop that remains suspended from the pipe is blown into a bubble, which subsequently is blown into a mold with the desired shape.
• A blow pipe measures approximately one and a half yards in length.

Urn shaping by hand

The red–hot crystal urn may also be shaped by hand, if protected with wet paper. This ancient craft makes use of special tools, such as wood urn block molds and metal shears.

Urn pressing by hand

To achieve this, a two–part metal mold is used, which presses the crystal poured into the profile.

Cremation Urn Molds

The wooden molds used by Royal Leerdam Crystal are manufactured in Royal Leerdam’s own mold–making shop.

• The wood used is pear wood. This type of wood has a very fine structure. The shape does not alter when wet.
• During the blowing process, the molds are saturated with water.
• The red–hot crystal results in the water starting to boil, causing a layer of steam to develop between the crystal and the wood urn mold wall, which is why the mold can be used more than once.
• If they are used frequently, the molds are then made from cast iron.

Cooling down of the urns

The molded urns have a temperature of approximately 600 degrees Celsius, which then have to be cooled down to room temperature.

• This must be done very gradually; otherwise too much tension would be created within the crystal, causing the urns to burst.
• The gradual cooling down of the urns takes place in a so–called 'cooling oven'.

Urn Grinding

Using vertically and horizontally rotating grinding wheels, the crystal urns are given their finishing touches. If desired, grinding motives are applied. The finishing process, from rough grinding to bright polishing, comprises four to five production runs.

Urn Engraving

To engrave the crystal cremation urn, a kind of dentist's drill is used in combination with carborundum discs.

• Carborundum is a very hard type of grinding material, made of silicon carbide. The drill is moved across the glass by hand.
• The motive is engraved 'dry' (without the use of any liquid). However, the best results are obtained using a wheel on a stand, which has fast rotating copper discs, across which a carborundum powder drenched in oil is running.
• The object to be engraved is moved along the wheel.