History of Murano Glass

Murano, Italy has been the longest lasting center for glass making in history. It has been a popular location for the art since the 9th century. The craft has gone through a variety of changes and has some of the most creative and elegant artwork and the region has survived its successes and failures and despite everything it has found the ability to bounce back amid adversity.

Murano is situated as a small island in the North West of Venice, Italy. The history of glassmaking in the region goes back to 800 AD in Rome, along with a mixture of influences from Asia and the religion of Islam. As Venice was a major port, trading of multicolored beads with African, Asian and Islamic neighbors became a mainstay of the region.

According to historical records, Murano became a center for glassmaking after frequent fires in Venice forced authorities to move its factories to the Island of Murano in 1291. Consequently, the Murano style is often interwoven that of the Venetians.

Murano held a monopoly on the craft for centuries and craftsmen on the island developed and improved several technologies like crystalline, aventurine which has threads of gold, lattimo - milk glass, smalto - containing enamel, millefiori - containing multicolors, and artificial gemstones. Even today, craftmen in the industry are said to follow these same techniques. However, now Murano has given way to a wide range of glass art including contemporary, jewelry, as well as chandeliers.

The art of Murano glass is rather complex and normally uses a technique known as lampworking. Silica, which turns into liquid form at high temperatures, is used to make glass. While the glass cools from the liquid to a solid phase, the artisan is able to manipulate it to make it into a desired shape or form.

Murano glass, over the centuries, has faced its moments of praise as well as decline. Nonetheless, region's glassmakers also strive toward quality and perfection. The glass art from the region is especially well known for its esthetics, which has set it apart from its competition. And no other region has been able to reproduce the esthetic superiority of Murano glassware. Throughout the history of glassmaking, the hollow blown glass technique from the region has made its stamp on the art of fine glassware. Clearly, the hallmark of Murano glass lies in its variations. A variety of glassware including multi-colored glazing and others that are light and transparent all represent the history of Murano glass art.

Murano art glassware is also part of the European Glass collection at many galleries. This collection includes mouth-blown cranes and flamingos that are often large in size. The art of producing Murano glass vases has been popular for the craftsmanship that stems from the glass-blowing method. Murano glass art can include a variety of fish, birds and ducks. These small animal collections or figurines are made utilizing the glass blowing technique from Murano.