Free-blown

Free-blown tablewares and bottles were found in substantial numbers at ʿEin Boqeq, the village of ʿEin Gedi, Masada, Jericho, Machaerus, 'Ein ez-Zara, and even in the cell structures at 'Ein Gedi. It seems that free-blown glass was a common possession in the Dead Sea region, and the Qumranites possessed such wares like everyone else.

Multiple copies of identical glass vessels with surfaces quite distinct from those on contemporary free-blown or moulded glass were produced and the vessels became a significant, though minor, part of the glass tablewares in circulation for about a half a century thereafter.

Roman glass occurs in both mould-blown and free-blown forms, this providing an opportunity to consider particular production methods in relation to user experience.