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pontil
pontil
Noun
pl: pontils
This term is highly specialized technical jargon used almost exclusively within the craft of glassblowing. It refers to the specific tool used for the second stage of shaping a vessel, allowing the artist to work on the rim or opening while the base is held securely.
In a historical or artistic context, a pontil mark—the small scar left on the bottom of a glass piece after the rod is snapped off—is a key diagnostic feature used by collectors and historians to determine the method of manufacture and the age of a piece of glassware.
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