Mouth-blown glass originates from a glassmaking technique dating back to the 3rd century BC. It reached its peak during the Renaissance with the fabulous creations of the Murano glassmakers in Venice. Blowing consists of introducing air into a mass of molten glass. The glassmaker, using a long hollow metal rod, picks up the molten crystal from the furnace. He then rolls the glowing ball with a mallet (a kind of wooden ladle) to centre it. With a brief breath, avoiding a backflow of hot air, the glassmaker inflates the glassy mass, creating a bubble.