1. What is Murano Glass?
It is hand blown glass, made famous by master artisans from the Island of Murano, an ancient seaport situated close to Venice, Italy.
Some of the items they produced included chandeliers, ceiling lights, wall sconces, floor lights, sculptures, vases, plates, drinking glasses, bowls, pitchers, decanters, magnificent jewelry, statues, and walls.
Murano is an island approximately 1 mile off the coast of the world famous city of Venice, Italy.
Its origin began in the city of Venice.
Towards the end of the 13th century, Venice was experiencing an outbreak of fires in the city. In order to maintain the factories and protect their secret methods for creating the glass, the Doges of Venice decreed that all the furnaces be moved to Murano. Today, Venetian and Murano glass are considered one and the same product.
2. How is Murano Glass Produced?
It is made of silica sand and mixed with various metal oxides. The silica sand and the metal oxide are blended together and placed into large vats surrounded by fire in gas heated ovens.
Temperatures are heated to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit in order to melt the silica and oxide blend. The glass Master will then dip his blow pipe into the incandescent glass and begin the delicate process of shaping the glass into magnificent creations. The glass must be taken in and out of the ovens while he is shaping the piece in order to maintain the correct level of softness required to blow and shape the glass.
It takes more than 20 years of apprenticeship and practice to become a qualified Murano Glass Master.
Thanks to the dedicated artisans and Master glass blowers, the art of Murano Glass blowing is being kept alive.
3. What Type of Objects Can You Make with Murano Glass?
It can be crafted into almost anything, from contemporary art glass and glass figurines to the famous Murano Glass chandeliers and wine stoppers to glass sculptures and vases. Also well known for jewelry and multi colored paper weights, however special attention should be given to Murano wine glasses or Murano champagne flutes as there really is an incredible choice of styles, models, sizes and colors you can choose from.
If you tend towards a rather modern style you should probably look for colored or stemless glasses, while if you are inclined towards a more classic one then the Murano wine glasses par excellence is a gold rimmed Murano champagne flutes.