All You Need To Know About Glass

What Is Glass?

Glass is a manmade material that is hard when finished. Source materials for making most types of glassware are silica, limestone, and soda ash. These are melted together in a special furnace at very high temperatures of about 1,600 Celsius (2,900 Fahrenheit). The mixture is then gradually cooled to achieve a hard state.

Ancient Roman glass vases, bowls, and other vessels.

Where was Glass Invented?

First human-made glass we know of comes from the area of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt and was crafted in the 3rd millennium BCE. The oldest objects which survived to our days are glass beads. Scientists think that those were most likely accidentally created while making faience or metals.

What is Glass Made Of?

Glass is made from simple ingredients easily found in nature: sand (silica), crushed limestone, and soda ash (sodium carbonate, similar to baking soda). When glass was first made, ancient artisans obtained soda ash by burning wood and plants and using the ashes.

How Is Glass Made?

Since ancient times people have used multiple methods to make glassware. All of them included heating the main source ingredients, sand, soda, and limestone to very high temperatures. The earliest methods were melting in kilns and core-forming. 

As glass masters turned to crafting decorative objects, new methods of glass-making were developed. In the 4th century BCE Syrians made glass using mold-shaping. Then Romans made it the cornerstone of their glassmaking industry in the 1st century CE. They created molds of various shapes with reliefs on the sides and blew glass into the mold to give it the predetermined shape and design.

Glassmaking in a factory on Murano Island in Venice, Italy.

Famous Italian Glass in Venice

Italian Glass started its history in ancient Rome, where the glass industry was split into glass-making and glass-forming. The former was creating chunks of glass in kilns from raw materials. The latter used these premade chunks to create objects by reheating them to achieve a malleable state.

Mold-blowing learned from the ancient Greeks was used by Romans early on in the 1st century CE, and later more complicated techniques were perfected, such as millefiori or murrina (mosaic glass). 

The next stage of glass-making in Italy started after the fall of the Roman Empire in the Venetian Lagoon. Venetian Republic was created in the 8th century CE after refugees from the Roman Empire banded together and created a strong fishing and salt-trading community. 

The first glass furnace discovered in the area also dates from that time. The historians agree that some of the refugees must have brought with them advanced glass-making skills because glassware was an important product in the Roman economy, and they put those skills to use in their new home.

The official history of Murano Glass – the most famous Italian Glass – starts in 1292 when the Venetian government issued a decree that all glassworks in Venice had to relocate to the Island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon.

This created a unique situation where the concentration of skills and talent on a small island led to the rapid development of glassmaking techniques and the evolution of the craft. During the Renaissance interest in decorative glassware heightened and glass blowing on Murano island turned into a large and profitable industry, which survives to this day.

Murano Glass filigrana vases, goblets, bottles in Murano Glass Museum, Murano, Italy.

Italian Glass Manufacturers

The Italian Glass industry includes both mass-produced and hand-made glass. Italian hand-made glass crafted on Murano Island is the most famous art glass in the world. Therefore, the most prominent Italian glass manufacturers hail from Murano and include Barovier, Fratelli Toso, Salviati, Radi, and many others.

Angelo Barovier is known for discovering the secret to creation of transparent glass in the 15th century, which allowed for creation of mirrors, chandeliers, and more. 

Fratelli Toso company was formed soon after the fall of Venice to Napoleon and helped sustain Italian glass-making in that difficult period. In 1864 they created a large Murano Glass chandelier for the Murano Glass Museum. They also rediscovered Millefiori glass and crafted many artistic Millefiori pieces.

Salviati was a lawyer by trade who decided to bring luster back into Murano glass-making. He opened glassworks in Venice and hired top artisans to craft glass mosaics. The aim was to restore darkened and dull ancient glass mosaics used inside San Marco Basilica. 

This project was a raging success, which brought Venetian glass-making back into the limelight. Salviati’s company participated in the 1862 World Fair in London and commissions soon came in from Westminster Cathedral, Paris Opera, and other world-famous buildings.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Murano, Italy: The History Of Innovation In Blown Glass

The term “Murano Glass” carries significant weight in the art world, referring to a distinct style of glass-making exclusive to Murano, Italy. On this small island, centuries-old traditions combine with innovation to create stunning blown glass artworks. Murano blown glass is renowned for its complexity, color vibrancy, and sheer artistic beauty.

The History of Murano, Italy

View of Murano, Italy

Murano, Italy, a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, has a rich and varied history. The few islands known collectively as Murano had been initially settled by the Romans. However, starting from around the 6th century Murano became a refuge for various people fleeing from the barbarian invasions spurred by the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It eventually became a flourishing independent city with an economy dominated by salt production and fishing, as well as trading with nearby cities and islands. 

After centuries as a separate jurisdiction, starting from the 13th century it became an administrative district of Venice. This is when the Grand Council of the Venetian Republic ordered all glassmakers to relocate to Murano. Thus, Murano Glass industry was born. This event marked the official start of Murano island’s long path to becoming the worldwide center of excellence for glass blowing.

What Is Special About Murano Glass

Today Murano, Italy, is still home to artisans who have mastered the local art of glass blowing. They use long-established techniques, some dating back to the times of the Roman Empire. The officially recognized Murano glass story began in the 13th century when all glassmakers in Venice had to relocate to Murano to mitigate the risk of fires. 

The 13th century decree making glass masters relocate to Murano resulted in the concentration of extraordinary glassmaking skills in one place. Hence, Murano became the epicenter of Europe’s glassmaking industry, and its artisans developed techniques and styles that set their creations apart. The glassmakers’ prowess was so highly valued that they enjoyed many privileges, including immunity from prosecution and intermarriage with Venice’s nobility.

The uniqueness of Murano blown glass lies in its striking aesthetic appeal, unmatched quality, and innovative designs. Each piece, whether a vase, bowl, chandelier, or figurine, tells a story. Following centuries of tradition, the island’s craftsmen do not follow a mass production approach, which means each Murano glass object is unique and holds special value.

Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Does All Murano Glass have A Mark? How To Identify Real Murano Glass.

Does all Murano Glass have a mark? Not all, but many original Murano items have signatures, labels, or stamps. Among the items that do not have any marks many are still authentic. Seems confusing? Do not despair – we will teach you how to identify authentic Murano Glass, whether with marks or not.

Murano Glass Authenticity: Why It’s Important

Authentic Murano Glass on display in a store on Murano Island in Venice, Italy

Murano Glass is an art form that has its origins in ancient Egyptian, Byzantine, and Roman glassmaking methods. For centuries, people cherished Murano Glass for its vibrant colors, intricate designs, and advanced techniques. The local master artisans in Venice have made significant breakthroughs and introduced many innovations in the craftsmanship and artistic design of Murano Glass. This was possible because the island of Murano has been a hub of Venetian glass production since the 13th century. Working closely together, its artisans have honed their methods through generations, creating unique pieces which broke the mold of the craft.

Murano Glass masters always were the envy of all the other glass masters around the world. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, as they say, and today lots of Murano Glass counterfeits flood the market. These counterfeits endanger the craft of making original Murano Glass. Moreover, their sellers fool people into buying undesirable low-quality products. 

To help you buy real Murano Glass we are sharing our top identification tips. Once you understand what to look for, you will be able to distinguish original Murano Glass from the imitations flooding the market. By understanding the key characteristics and markers of real Murano glass, you can make informed decisions. It will help you to know that you are paying for the skill of Murano-based masters and for the artistry honed through generations of Italian glass artisans.

Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Is Murano Glass Worth Collecting? Guide On Value And Buying.

Murano Art Glass In A Showroom In Venice, Italy

Is Murano Glass worth collecting? We say yes, without a doubt. Italian Murano Glass is special. It has unique and exquisite designs, which have attracted the attention of collectors and admirers for centuries. Its beauty and the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each piece set it apart from other artistic glassware. As such, Murano Glass is an art that is absolutely worth collecting.

To help you start collecting Murano glassware, we’ll tell you how to determine the value of a Murano Glass item, highlight the most various famous Murano Glass artists, and explain the modern trends in the art of Murano Glass. We will point you to galleries, museums, and collections featuring Murano Glass, and suggest the best places to purchase collector-quality Murano Glass art.

Collecting Is Understanding The Value

Collectible Murano Glass Goblet Sold By GlassOfVenice.com

Determining the value of a Murano Glass item can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider, such as the piece’s age, rarity, and condition. To determine the value of a Murano Glass item, it’s important to first understand whether it is authentic Italian Murano Glass or a counterfeit produced elsewhere. Once you know that the piece is original and genuine, you need to understand if it is vintage or modern, Vintage pieces command much higher values.

Then examine the piece closely for any flaws or damage. Additionally, the signature of the artist can greatly impact the value of the piece. Some of the most sought-after signatures in Murano Glass include Archimede Seguso, Carlo Scarpa, and Lino Tagliapietra.

Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Murano Glass From Italy: Its Value And History

Brief History Of Murano Glass

Murano glass from Italy has a long history and high value. Also known as Venetian glass, it is one of the world’s most beautiful and sought-after forms of glass art. Murano glass has a rich history that dates back to the 13th century. Amazingly, it continues to be produced in Murano, Italy, to this day. However, it was in the 16th and 17th centuries that Murano glass experienced a significant period of development and evolution. In this article, we will take a closer look at the special value of Murano glass and its history, with a specific focus on its development during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Murano glass has been around for more than 700 years. It has a rich history that is steeped in tradition and innovation. The glass-making industry in Murano began in the 13th century, and it quickly became a center for glass production in Europe. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the glass industry in Murano experienced a significant period of growth and innovation. During this time, Murano glassmakers developed new techniques and styles that are still used today.

Murano Glass enameled pitcher in Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

How Murano Glass Evolved

One of the most significant developments in Murano glass during the 16th and 17th centuries was the invention of Cristallo glass. Cristallo glass was a clear, colorless glass that was highly sought after by the wealthy and the aristocracy. The invention of Cristallo glass was a major breakthrough for Murano glassmakers. From that point, it quickly became the most important product produced in Murano. This translucent colorless glassware was highly valued for its purity, transparency, and brilliance. It was used to make a variety of decorative objects, such as chandeliers, mirrors, vases, and even window panes.

Another important development in Murano glass during the 16th and 17th centuries was the introduction of enamel decoration. Enamel decoration involved applying a layer of enamel to the surface of the glass and then firing it in a kiln to create a durable and colorful decoration. Enamel decoration was a popular technique in the Middle East. Like other foreign innovations, it was brought to Murano by Venetian traders. Murano glassmakers quickly adopted this technique and began producing colorful, enameled glassware. Glass with enamel decoration became popular among their rich customers and is still highly valued by collectors.

Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Is Murano Glass Worth The Money? 4 Reasons To Splurge.

Is Murano Glass Worth the Money? Murano Glass is an art form and as such it does increase in value over time. Collectors purchase Murano Glass, museums exhibit it, and lots of wealthy people use Murano Art Glass for home decor. The high price for Murano Glass often makes sense as each piece is a designer object that is handmade and unique.

Murano Glass works of art at Capellin Vennini exhibition in Murano, Italy

Here are the 4 reasons to pay premium prices for Murano Glass.

1. Murano Glass is a collectible item.

Murano Glass is an art form that has been in existence for at least 800 years. The master artisans of Murano started from humble beginnings. However, over the following hundreds of years, they continuously evolved their blown glass creativity, elevating it to art by the renaissance.

Many famous masters had their own workshops on Murano island. They came up with fancy forms, deep colors, and creative designs. Initially only the rich and famous could afford expensive and elegant Murano objects, which had the superior quality to any glass created elsewhere. Their clarity was mind-blowing and unheard of. Murano Glass chandeliers were translucent and reflected so much light. Venetian mirrors had not just unique ornamental designs but, more importantly, highly polished glass surfaces, allowing for clear reflections. 

However, in the twentieth century, the level of wealth of the general population grew. More and more middle-class people started traveling to Venice and got familiar with Murano and its glass art. Regular people were purchasing Murano Glass mirrors in Venice for their homes. or shopping for Murano Glass vases to display on the shelves.

Collectors of Murano Glass art come from all walks of life. However, they have in common an understanding of the special beauty of this art medium and the different styles and techniques used to create Murano Glass over the centuries. 

Multiple catalogs of Murano Glass and the works of specific glass artists exist. Many have been published in the twentieth century. The catalogs and special books allow collectors to learn more and gauge the artistic value and the rarity of a particular piece. Multiple auction houses, including Sotheby’s and Christie’s, feature Murano Glass. Especially popular are sculptures, figurines, chandeliers, and vases. Occasionally, auction houses will feature Murano jewelry along with precious jewelry.

Murano Glass Scarpa Exhibit
Carlo Scarpa Murano Glass exhibition in New York
Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Murano Glass Is In Trouble. How Skyrocketing Gas Prices Are Affecting The Ancient Industry.

Murano Glass exists in Venice for over 1,000 years and survived multiple upheavals. However, this time it is in real danger of extinction.

Murano Glass artisans create glassware in a factory on Murano island
Murano Glass artisans create glassware in a factory on Murano island. Photo courtesy of GlassOfVenice.com

Murano Glass is one of the world’s oldest surviving industries. While glass-making was known to humans even as far back as ancient Egypt, the production of glass in Venice was established on the heels of the craft developed in ancient Rome.

Fleeing from the barbarians, the Romans who settled in Venice established glass-making furnaces and used local silica and soda to create their first glass vessels. After the industry got established on Murano island by the government decree in 1291, the local glass furnaces have been working full force despite the difficulties brought by wars, floods, and competition.

However, this time it’s different. The Murano Glass industry has encountered the perfect storm created by the horrible flood of Venice in 2019, the global Covid-19 pandemic, and the enormous increase in gas prices brought on by the war in Ukraine and the transformation to renewable energy. This gas problem may just be the last straw to break the back of the ancient industry.

Murano Glass furnaces are notoriously gas-hungry. They have to burn at 1500 degrees Celsius and cannot be turned on and off daily. It takes about a week to ignite a furnace and bring it to the stable high temperature required for glass-making. This process costs tens of thousands of euros. Therefore, the furnaces are normally only extinguished for one month a year, august, when the local glass artisans traditionally take a break amid the summer heat.

Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Is Venetian Glass The Same As Murano Glass?

Murano Glass crafted by glass masters in Murano, Italy. Photo credit: GlassOfVenice.com

Is Venetian Glass the same as Murano Glass? Yes, and both mean handmade glassware made in Murano, an island in Venice, Italy. Many of GlassOfVenice customers ask whether Murano Glass and Venetian Glass are the same things. Why is there a confusion about the proper name? The explanation requires a brief excursion into the history of Murano Glass.

Continue reading
Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Why Is Murano Glass So Expensive?

Why is Murano Glas so expensive? See how Murano Glass bowl is handmade by an artisan in Murano Italy.
Murano Glass bowl is being made by an artisan in Murano, Italy. Photo credit: GlassOfVenice.com

Why is Murano Glass so expensive? Firstly, Murano Glass is expensive because it is an art. Blown art glass is made by hand in Murano, Italy using only basic tools, special furnaces, and techniques that come from ancient times.

Italian artists and artisans need decades of hands-on experience in order to craft the high-quality glassware valued by collectors and art aficionados. Add to this the high prices of raw materials, which often include 24K gold and .925 silver, and you will realize why Murano Glass prices are much higher than factory-made glassware from China.

So what determines the prices of Murano Glass pieces? Why does Murano Glass seem expensive compared to factory-made knock-offs? Here are the 5 reasons why Murano Glass is expensive:

  1. The special skills the artisans need to create Murano Glass and the small number of qualified Murano Glass artisans. There are many Murano Glass techniques that master artisans may use, such as Millefiori, Avventurina, Sommerso, and Filigrana. Each master typically specializes in only one or two techniques. These are complicated techniques and many pieces take hours and several artisans to make, which leads to a high price tag.
  2. The source materials get more expensive each year. Some colors require the incorporation of metals such as cobalt, silver, or gold. In many cases, Murano pieces have special shimmer, which is achieved by layering glass with 24-karat gold or .925 sterling silver. Needless to say, the precious and semi-precious metals command high prices that keep on increasing over time.
  3. The high expense of operating furnaces. While artisans typically craft Murano Glass jewelry using only a small flame, they need to use special furnaces for larger pieces such as tumblers, bowls, vases, sculptures, and chandeliers. Murano Glass factories making those items have one or more furnaces (“fornace” in Italian). These furnaces take a long time to bring into proper operating condition, they cannot be extinguished overnight, and use high volumes of expensive gas. In addition, during the pandemic times, many restrictions hit the operation of factories in Murano very hard. Blowing glass in a confined space is an inherently risky activity during a pandemic.
  4. The high rents for store owners in Venice, Italy. Murano Glass sellers in Venice need to pay high rents for the premium real estate. Their storefronts line the busiest alleyways and squares (or rather “campo’s” or the “piazza” in the case of Piazza San Marco) in Venice. In addition, because Venice’s floods are frequent and sometimes severe, the insurance costs for both space and merchandise run high. Restoration after floods takes time and effort, decreasing revenues. Therefore, as strange as it is, often you will pay more for the same item in a Venetian store than you would to an online seller.
  5. The customs charges and shipping fees for sellers abroad. They make Murano Glass only in Venice, Italy. Therefore, all sellers outside of Italy need to import it. Importing comes with high costs made up of customs fees for each item dictated by the country of the importer and the shipping fees that can make up as much as 20-30% of the price. It is expensive to ship and insure fragile and heavy glassware across countries and continents. The price of Murano Glass reflects this.
Why is Murano Glass so expensive? Artisans make Murano Glass vase by hand in Murano Italy
Murano Glass artisans creating a vase at a glass-making factory in Murano, Italy. Photo credit: GlassOfVenice.com

After you take these factors into account, you will better understand why Murano Glass commands high prices. However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot find an authentic piece at a reasonable price. Small Murano jewelry is typically much cheaper than larger creations. Yet the look you can create with Murano Glass jewelry will be elegant and unique. A set of bright cufflinks, a lovely handmade Murano Glass pendant, a pair of shimmering earrings, or a gold leaf-lined statement ring are all you need to channel Venetian charm and Italian craftsmanship without breaking the bank.

At GlassOfVenice.com we have the world’s largest collection of authentic Murano Glass jewelry and accessories so that you can find a piece that brings out your personal uniqueness. Here you will also find the perfect gift for an elegant woman or man who loves Italy and appreciates the artisan traditions of Murano and beyond.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Is Murano Glass Valuable?

Murano Glass Is Valuable - Salviati, Toso, Moretti. Murano Glass Museum, Venice
Murano Glass By Salviati, Toso, Moretti, 19th Century. Murano Glass Museum, Venice.

Is Murano Glass valuable? You may wonder – is that Murano piece my grandmother left me special? Yes, many authentic Murano Glass pieces have appraised value of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Depending on who made them and when, which technique was used, and how rare a piece is, it may be a highly valuable special work of art, or it may be considered a valuable antique.

So why is Murano Glass valuable? And where does its value come from? In this article we will go over the main characteristics that define the price of a Murano Glass piece.

Murano Glass Value Is Defined By Several Factors.

  1. The master or the glassworks that created the piece. Many masters of Murano Glass attained worldwide fame for the special artistic value of their pieces. This list includes Paolo Venini, Alfredo Barbini, Archimede and Livio Seguso, Carlo Scarpa, Vittorio Zecchin, Lino Tagliapetra, Carlo Moretti, Fulvio Bianconi and many other prominent Venetian glass artists. Their signed works, as well as the works marked with the stamps of the most prestigious Murano Glass companies, such as Barovier and Toso, Fratelli Toso, Venini, Moretti, Formia, Gambaro e Poggi, Simone Cenedese, Alessandro Mandruzzato, command high values and top prices on the antique market.
  2. The craftsmanship and the technique. Certain techniques of Murano glass-making are very complex and require incredible skill and precision along with artistic talent. Filigrana, Reticello, and Zanfirico are some of the rarest and most valued Murano Glass techniques. They involve heating, stretching, and twisting glass canes into elaborate lace-like designs. Millefiori (or Murrina in Italian) is another one, where tiny pieces of glass canes with designs inside are fused together into quilt-like patterns.
  3. The age and condition. Murano Glass is first and foremost, an art. Thus, like all artworks, Murano Glass pieces become more valuable with age. Every period of Murano Glassmaking has a unique appeal. The most valuable pieces are the ones that survived from the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th century Venice. Many of these are in museums, while others are carefully kept in private collections. Artworks from the 20th century are easier to come across, with mid-century works making up the majority of this century’s Murano Art Glass heritage. Specialized antique online marketplaces, auction houses, and serious Murano Glass sellers such as GlassOfVenice.com offer authentic mid-century Murano Glass. Here you can find many vintage Murano masterpieces at competitive prices.
Murano Glass Art By Carlo Scarpa, 20th Century Vintage Glass.

Valuable Murano Glass For Your Home.

Murano Glass is certainly valuable, due to its very long history, and constant artistic innovation based upon ancient methods of craftsmanship. It is also a recognized art form displayed in museums worldwide. Specifically, you can find many Murano Glass items in the most famous museums of the world, from The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Getty Villa to The British Museum, The Louvre, Murano Glass Museum in Murano, and other prominent collections.

But you can admire a Murano vase, sculpture, or mirror without a trip to a famous museum, Displaying a valuable piece of Murano Glass in your home is possible without breaking the bank. Check out the Vintage Glass Collection where Glass Of Venice offers valuable pieces by Formia, Loredano Rossin, Seguso Vetri d’Arte, Licio Zanetti, Salviati, and others. These unique artworks are true heirlooms to keep in your family and pass on to future generations.


Facebooktwitterpinterestmail