The spread of the art of glassmaking in the Venetian lagoon dates back to as early as the 7th Century, but it was in the 13th Century that it began concentrating on the island of Murano, when the Republic, for security reasons, ordered all furnaces to be moved away from the historic centre, setting penalties prohibiting anyone from making glass unless registered with the Art guild and preventing glassmakers from moving abroad. A long artistic history began from that moment, with families transferring from generation to generation, through the "Master Glassmakers", recipes and secrets which no one in the world has been able to equal.
There are three principal techniques of glassmaking: lampwork, glass fusing and furnace glassmaking.
Glass of incredible beauty, enameled, decorated and painted glass, crystal, glass imitating precious stones, threads of various colors, straight or bent to create nets or filigrees, engraved, inlaid, with cameos, combed, feathered, with gold dust, clear blue, transparent, 'murrhines' with thousands of colors and combinations, these are the products of the furnaces of Murano and of the skilled hands of artisans, based on the drawings of artists and designers. And then glass comes alive in unique and wonderful creations: goblets, glasses and cups, mirrors and elaborate frames, chandeliers with a thousand lights, appliqués, candlesticks, elaborate plates, vases and stands, jewellery... and also common objects for a gift, a memory, not just for the connoisseur but also for tourists who appreciate authentic objects.
How can you be sure you are buying glass created on the island of Murano?
You should purchase a product bearing the brand "Vetro Artistico® Murano", created and regulated by the Veneto Region to guarantee the glass product was definitely created on the island of Murano, following the traditional techniques of the Murano master glassmakers.
The brand represents the 'borsella' a typical working tool during the creation of a plate. It can be red or blue according to the type of work; the 'borsella' and the wording "Vetro Artistico® Murano" are printed in gold leaf. The stamp is forgery proof - and cannot be removed and reused without breaking it - bearing the identification code of the manufacturing company.
Only authorized companies can use and attach the Marchio Vetro Artistico® Murano stamp on any glass part of an object, unequivocally certifying its provenance.
Where can you buy products bearing the Marchio?
At sales points displaying the Marchio Vetro Artistico® Murano sticker, which you must always be sure to ask the shop-owner for to ensure you have purchased Authentic Murano Glass.
