Murano glass has been a famous product of the Venetian island of Murano for centuries. Located off the shore of Venice, Italy, Murano was a commercial port as far back as the 7th century. By the 10th century it had become a well-known city of trade. Today Murano remains a destination for tourists and art and jewelry lovers alike.
Murano’s reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and destruction to the city’s mostly wood buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano's glassmakers were soon the island’s most prominent citizens. By the 14th century, glassmakers were treated like royalty and allowed to wear swords, enjoy immunity from prosecution by the Venetian state and have their daughters married into Venice’s most affluent families. Authorities aimed to reward and guard a vital industry by keeping it comfortable within a "gilded cage.” For a long time workers who left the island were forbidden from ever working again within the industry on Murano - a measure taken to stop the outflow of secrets and skills from the island.
The industry was forever changed in 15th century, when master artist Angelo Barovier invented colorless Murano “crystal” by eliminating soda ash, which caused impurities. Glassmakers developed new techniques, such as netted and twisted filigree and ice glass with a translucent crackly effect, and more sophisticated shapes. Over the years more complex glassware with highly colored enameled floral and animal decorations became popular, as did gold decorations on glass and small decorative glass beads.
Many of the original well-guarded techniques are still used in Murano glassmaking. A piece of Murano glass, whether a small pendant or an elaborate sculpture, exemplifies the spirit and determination of a dedicated group of skilled artisans who knew their craft was worth fighting for and saved the essence from generation to generation. So the next time you admire a piece of Murano glass, think beyond the beauty of the piece and be inspired by the perseverance of how it got here.
Handcrafted Artisan World Gifts. Authentic Murano glass jewelry, Venetian pendants, Murano bottle stoppers, openers, and cheese knives, genuine Italian glass earrings, wholesale and retail satin cord necklaces. "Fair Trade" Thai handbags, rope dragons and silk scarves from the Chiang Mai region in Thailand. Arghand organic botanical Pebble Soap from Afghanistan.
