Venetian Murano Glass
Posted in Art Glass on 04/02/2009 12:10 am by admin |
 VENETIAN CHANDELIER FROM VIVARINI MURANO $4,995.00 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 16m Buy It Now for only: $4,995.00 |
 RARE ANTIQUE Venetian Glass HUGE 17 TALL EWER MURANO CAPELLIN VENINI SALVIATI $3,750.00 Time Remaining: 19d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $3,750.00 |
 Murano Venetian Barbini Glass OWL Colors Large SILVER foil fleck bird $2,410.00 Time Remaining: 4d 30m Buy It Now for only: $2,690.00 |
 Murano Venetian Glass Zanfirico Tessuto Aventurine Lamps pair XLarge RARE $1,581.98 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 2m Buy It Now for only: $1,581.98 |
 Murano FORMIA Venetian Italian Art Glass Vase Flower Shaped Floral Pink Purple $1,499.00 Time Remaining: 10h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1,499.00 |
 Murano Gambaro Poggi Venetian Italian Art Glass Vase Millefiori Floral Designs $1,199.00 Time Remaining: 10h 26m Buy It Now for only: $1,199.00 |
 RARE Mind Blowing MURANO Bowl COMPLEX Vintage CRACKLE Glass AUTHENTIC Venetian $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 10d 15h 56m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 |
 RARE Splendiferous MURANO Bowl Vintage Art Glass Gold DUST BIRD Venetian BEAUTY $1,190.00 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 36m Buy It Now for only: $1,190.00 |
 Classic Hollywood regency Venetian Murano Glass lamps pair $990.00 Time Remaining: 21d 16h 24m Buy It Now for only: $990.00 |
 ANTIQUE PAIR Venetian Glass Murano Candle Holders C1880 $874.99 Time Remaining: 14d 21h 8m Buy It Now for only: $874.99 |
 Vintage Murano Venetian Glasses Pink Gold Seahorse Stem $897.97 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 48m Buy It Now for only: $897.97 |
 PR Old Large Venetian Murano GLASS BOY GIRL FIGURES $845.75 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 21m Buy It Now for only: $845.75 |
 VTG Alfredo Barbini Venetian Murano Glass Vaseline with Gold Camel Figurine $850.00 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 8m Buy It Now for only: $850.00 |
 Archimede Seguso MURANO BOWL Ashtray and PESTLE Set BUBBLES Rare 1930s VENETIAN $790.00 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 36m Buy It Now for only: $790.00 |
 BAROVIER VENETIAN MURANO GLASS COMPOTE CANDLESTICKS W GRAPES MINT $695.00 Time Remaining: 5d 15h 30m |
 Classic Hollywood regency Venetian Murano Glass lamps pair $740.00 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $740.00 |
 Classic Hollywood regency Venetian Murano Glass lamps pair $740.00 Time Remaining: 21d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $740.00 |
 Vintage Murano Venetian Italy Glass Lamp Barovier Toso $650.00 Time Remaining: 27d 15h 55m Buy It Now for only: $650.00 |
 MURANO GOLD INFUSED SEAGULL SCULPTURE VENETIAN GLASS $550.00 Time Remaining: 26d 12h 26m Buy It Now for only: $550.00 |
 Incredible MURANO Bowl SILVER LEAF Mid 20th c ART GLASS Genuine VENETIAN Italian $590.00 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 18m Buy It Now for only: $590.00 |
 ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO Impressive MURANO 1930s Art Deco Glass Bowl Venetian ITALIAN $590.00 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 37m Buy It Now for only: $590.00 |
 Pair of Venetian Murano Art Glass Figurines man and woman gold highlights $580.00 Time Remaining: 21h 20m |
 12 Fabulous Purple Blown Venetian Murano Glass Bowls $550.00 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 7m Buy It Now for only: $550.00 |
 Wild MURANO Barovier Toso OPALINE Teal GLORIOUS GOLD Glass BOWL Vintage VENETIAN $520.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $520.00 |
 Giant MURANO Sculpture BOWL Mid 20th Century GLASS Stupendous 12 Venetian Art $490.00 Time Remaining: 22d 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $490.00 |
 11 LB MURANO VENETIAN Italian Art Glass MILLEFIORI VASE FLORAL DESIGN $450.00 Time Remaining: 10d 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $450.00 |
 Venetian Murano Ruby serpent fish glass comport compote bon bon dish bowl $419.23 Time Remaining: 27d 8h 3m Buy It Now for only: $419.23 |
 Extraordinary Murano Glass Bowl Color Changing SPECIAL Venetian VINTAGE Beauty $420.00 Time Remaining: 10d 15h 57m Buy It Now for only: $420.00 |
 Murano ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO Bowl RARE Vintage Italian Venetian GLASS with GOLD DUST $420.00 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 50m Buy It Now for only: $420.00 |
 RARE Signed SEGUSO Murano CUTE Vintage Glass Duck VENETIAN Italian SWEET Bird $399.00 Time Remaining: 9d 2h 28m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 Venetian Goblets Stemware 7 tall 24K gold encrusted enamel flowers Murano $399.00 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 Vintage VENETIAN Glass BOWL Big PURPLE Rim BULLICANTE Buy GENUINE Murano GLASS $399.00 Time Remaining: 12d 16h Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 MURANO Purple Plum DESIGNS Gold Dust BUBBLES Glass BOWL Vintage GENUINE Venetian $399.00 Time Remaining: 17d 19h 33m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 |
 Elegant FORM Tall MURANO Venetian ITALIAN Art Glass Vase Old DELICATE Treasure $390.00 Time Remaining: 10d 16h 54m Buy It Now for only: $390.00 |
 Murano Art Glass DOG Sculpture VINTAGE Canine POOCH w LABEL Italian Venetian $390.00 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 21m Buy It Now for only: $390.00 |
 MURANO Glass DOG Sculpture PAPERWEIGHT Canine GORGEOUS Italian VENETIAN Vintage $390.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 8m Buy It Now for only: $390.00 |
 Incredible MURANO Art Glass SCULPTURAL Bowl VINTAGE Venetian JEWEL Tone COLORS $388.00 Time Remaining: 9d 2h 26m Buy It Now for only: $388.00 |
 VINTAGE MURANO VENETIAN RIBBON ART GLASS LATTICINO BOWL $365.00 Time Remaining: 16d 41m Buy It Now for only: $365.00 |
 OLD Beg 20th C MURANO VENETIAN ITALIAN ART GLASS SHOE $380.00 Time Remaining: 27d 19h 47m Buy It Now for only: $380.00 |
 Antique Venetian Art Glass Candlesticks Dolphin Fish Gold Specked Murano 4852 $375.00 Time Remaining: 23d 17h 25m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 RARE MURANO CLOWN OLD VENETIAN GREEN FOIL LABEL $369.00 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 19m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 |
 Pair of Venetian Smokey Topaz and Gold Murano Glass Dolphin Champaign Stems $350.00 Time Remaining: 16h 56m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 Murano Vase 24K GOLD Cobalt Blue MILLEFIORI ITALIAN VENETIAN ART GLASS $350.00 Time Remaining: 13d 13h 11m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 Murano Venetian cranberry gold leaf Glass Pitcher ewer $316.40 Time Remaining: 18d 9h 20m Buy It Now for only: $316.40 |
 ANTIQUE VENETIAN Murano Italian Art Glass Ruby Red Bowl APPLIED HANDLES BEST $348.88 Time Remaining: 29d 1h 57m Buy It Now for only: $348.88 |
 Pair of Venetian Murano art glass birds long tails Italy $348.00 Time Remaining: 25d 22h 10m Buy It Now for only: $348.00 |
 VINTAGE MURANO AMBER EWER ITALIAN VENETIAN VASE PITCHER $325.00 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $325.00 |
 VENETIAN MURANO LAMPS $300.00 Time Remaining: 15d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 UNIQUE MURANO VENETIAN ITALIAN ART GLASS VASE CENTERPIECE W COA by FRANCO $325.00 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 31m Buy It Now for only: $325.00 |
 EXQUISITE Copper BRONZE Antique MURANO mini ART Glass VASE Late 1800s VENETIAN $320.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 MURANO Glass Paperweight Intensely MAGNIFICENT Lampwork FLOWERS Venetian BEAUTY $320.00 Time Remaining: 10d 22h 25m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 Fine MURANO Glass PAPERWEIGHT Bubbles EXQUISITE Lampwork FLOWERS Venetian BEAUTY $320.00 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 46m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 lge MURANO VENETIAN GLASS EPERGNE Gold Flecks WOW $297.20 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 5m Buy It Now for only: $297.20 |
 Hand Blown Cordial Glasses Murano Venetian Glass $295.00 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 MURANO MILLEFIORI HORSE HEAD SCULPTURE RUBY RED ITALIAN VENETIAN ART GLASS $300.00 Time Remaining: 13d 13h 13m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 Ice Blue Venetian Murano Art Glass Decanter Glasses Set Silver Deposit Overlay $275.00 Time Remaining: 15d 16h 14m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 ZANFIRICO Ribbon GOLD FLECKS Murano Venetian Design SPECIMEN Flower Vase $300.00 Time Remaining: 26d 5h 28m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 MAGNIFICENT Modern MURANO Venetian VINTAGE Glass BOWL Uranium GLOWS in BLACKLITE $299.00 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 9m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 LARGE Romantic MURANO Glass HEART Bowl w LABEL Vintage VENETIAN Metallic SWIRLS $299.00 Time Remaining: 11d 15h 33m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 Spectacular MURANO Glass BOWL Purple LATTIMO Scroll VINTAGE Venetian SCULPTURE $299.00 Time Remaining: 14d 18h 43m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 VINTAGE Murano Venetian Art GLASS FOOTED ICE TEA GLASSES 4 FREE SHIPPING USA $299.00 Time Remaining: 14d 19h 3m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
 Lot of 5 Murano Venetian Glass with 24 KT gold painted design from Italy $250.00 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 12m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 Magnificent Vintage Murano Venetian Art Glass Figurine Art Deco Man Rare Black $295.00 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 38m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 VENETIAN Murano Italian Art GLASS VASE $189.84 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $189.84 |
 MURANO Bowl SCULPTURAL Glass ELEGANT Deco MODERN Vintage VENETIAN Italian BEAUTY $290.00 Time Remaining: 22h 9m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 |
 Large Murano Venetian Latticino Art Glass Vase Vintage $275.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 46m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 Sculptural MURANO Bowl VINTAGE Incredible Colors GLASS Genuine VINTAGE Venetian $290.00 Time Remaining: 5d 16h 39m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 |
 PAIR OF VINTAGE GENUINE VENETIAN GLASS BIRDS MURANO MADE IN ITALY GREEN BLUE $289.99 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 58m Buy It Now for only: $289.99 |
 Large MURANO Gondola SCULPTURE Over 13 RED Glass GORGEOUS Sculptural VENETIAN $289.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 23m Buy It Now for only: $289.00 |
 Collection of Murano Glass Rooster Figurines Venetian Italian Art Glass $289.00 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 42m Buy It Now for only: $289.00 |
 HUGE Vintage Hand Blown Italian Venetian Murano Art Glass Vase Bottle 60s $249.95 Time Remaining: 4d 38m |
 MURANO VENETIAN GLASS OPEN SALTS CLEAR WHITE WITH 24K GOLD FLAKE A LOT OF 11 $275.00 Time Remaining: 28d 17h 46m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 Vintage Italian Art glass Set of 2 Venetian Murano Paper Weight Fish Sculptures $275.00 Time Remaining: 7d 16h 43m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 ANTIQUE MURANO VENETIAN GLASS GOLD 14 K LOCK NECKLACE $275.00 Time Remaining: 29d 10h 50m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 VINTAGE BAROVIER Toso Murano RED ART GLASS SILVER INCLUSIONS VENETIAN BOWL $208.59 Time Remaining: 16d 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $208.59 |
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Traditions of Murano Glass
The beginnings
In 1960 the oldest furnace for glass, dated for the 8th century, was discovered on a Venetian island. The 8th century established Venice as a prominent center for glass-manufacturing. The origins of glass making in this region are traced back even to the times of the Roman Empire, when glass was used to illuminate bathhouses.
In the 13th century, producing highest-quality glass items became the main industry of Venice. It led to creation of the Glassmakers Guild which was responsible for shaping and voicing rules and regulations which the Venice craftsmen were supposed to follow. The Guild was serving two purposes. Firstly, it was supposed to stand on guard of the secrets of glass making trade. Secondly, the aim was to make sure that the industry brings profit. In order to meet the above mentioned objectives, in 1271 a law was introduced that prohibited importation of foreign glass as well as employment of foreign glass workers.
One of the most significant events in Murano glass making history is the 1291 move of all furnaces used in this trade from Venice to Murano. The law triggering this event laid the ground for establishing Murano as a center of glass manufacturing. Several theories exist which try to explain why Venice wanted to move its craftsmen. One of them states that Venice was afraid of fire from the furnaces spreading over the city. It could lead to a complete destruction of Venice as the city`s building were primarily made of wood. What is more, such a fire would greatly endanger enormous in size population of Venice. However, other sources claim that the real reason behind the 1291 law was related to making the craftsmen isolated so they would not be able to share their trade secrets with foreigners. Locating them on the island in close proximity to Venice would serve the purpose: it would reduce the craftsmen contacts with outsiders, but on the other hand would let them sell their products on markets in Venice. What is interesting, in 1295 the law which forbade the glassmakers to leave the city was passed.
Venetian government was also undertaking less direct steps in order to keep glass making secluded and make Venice a leader in this industry. It was providing glass makers and their families with special treatment and high location in the Venetian social ladder. Privileged status and related to this perks were a great incentive for glass makers who encouraged their offspring to stay in the trade and carry the tradition on. Internal politics as well as convenient location of Venice as a city on a path of trade between East and West allowed it to flourish as a European monopolist in making and selling high quality glass products, such as glass vases, bowls and figurines.
Time of booming
The 15th century brought another innovation into the world of Murano glass when Master Angelo Barovier discovered the process for producing clear glass, called cristallo. Furthermore, another innovation was a discovery of lattimo which was the white glass reminding popular that time Chinese porcelain. The greatest times in Murano history also made glassmakers experiment with new techniques in production more sophisticated pieces of art. By using glass rods with inner threads of white, golden or coloured glass which twisted or intersected, they were creating filigrana glass. They also started enamelling and gilding glass as well as creating ice glass which appears as it is finely crackled.
Twilight
The 17th was not too lucrative for Murano glass and its makers. Decline of Venetia's influence as a centre of commerce as well as emergence of other glass centres in Europe, specifically located in Bohemia, England and France, led to a decrease of influence of Murano in the industry. However, it did not stop the glass makers from inventing new techniques in glass making such as avventurina which is embedding metal flecks in glass so it looks very sparkly or calcedonio which bring illusion of an item made of semiprecious stone. Murano glass was popular for its bright colours and complex floral and animal motives as decorations.
Turmoil of the 18th and 19th century
The 18th century was definitely not the best time for glass makers in Murano. Competition located in Bohemia and France and later Napoleon's conquest of Venice, which led to abolishment of the Glassmakers' Guild, put the industry in jeopardy. Even worse for the condition of Murano glass making was overtaking of Venice by the Habsburg Empire. The rulers, preferring their own glassmaking centre in Bohemia passed the law which led to virtual impossibility of bringing necessary raw material into Murano as well as exporting ready products due to the cost introduced by the law. Only 5 furnaces stayed alive and kept blowing glass.
However, the tradition still lived. The breakthrough came with arrival to the city of Antonio Salviati who opened a factory producing traditional Murano glass. Soon he was granted a fifteen-year contract for restoration of the mosaics in St. Mark's basilica. At the same time interest in old traditions of glass making in Murano came from Venice government which embodied in establishment of school for glassmakers who were taught the forgotten techniques of the craft. For the next few years, recent glass works were displayed in various exhibitions on the Italian, as well as international level. Following multiple successes, Murano regained its reputation as a centre of glass making and again became a booming economy.
Modern history
The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th can be characterized as years of reproduction of classical styles and rediscovering ancient techniques of glassmaking. These pieces were greatly appreciated by international collectors and admirers of beauty of glass. However, modern times brought new European works of art in avant-garde and Art Nouveau style, which showed a gap that existed between pieces offered by modern artists and Murano artisans still deeply attached to the past.
The first Murano artisan who started adopting new trends was Vittorio Toso Borella. Although his first products did not completely satisfy glass connoisseurs, his later pieces became appreciated masterpieces. Borella was later accompanied in new style by Gino Rossi, Arturo Martini and Guido Marussig.
Later, art deco came. In Murano glass craft, it was represented by less decorated pieces of Vittorio Zecchin. In the 1920s-1940s, Murano glassmakers became famous of producing glass animals, glass statues of female nudes, engraving on glass, modern lighting fixtures, glass vases and glass tableware. An innovative glass making technique was introduced called vetro sommerso which let the makers produce thick glassware, which showcase one colour on the inside and another on the outside.
Minimalism, functionality and simplicity were the trends present in Murano glass making after the World War II. Such techniques as filigree, murrino and lattimo saw their come back and produced pieces which harmonized outline with colour and decoration of the pieces.
Today, Murano is again considered a capital of Glass Art of the world. It creates trends in glass blowing and becomes a destination for those who appreciate beauty of glass.
About the Author
Justyna Bialas is a Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Glamorous Glass, an online store offering European glass products such as glass vases, centerpieces, bowls, plates, and more.