Murano Glass
This is a very special type of glass with wonderful designs that origins from Murano / Venice, Italy. It has remained for centuries a true art form, handmade (not machines). Some traditional styles that are most recognizable are goldstone, which looks like bits of gold floating in stone, and millefiori, which means “a thousand flowers” in Italian. But, they are also known for their mirrors of curved and etched glass, as well as huge, colorful, delicate chandeliers spilling with flowers and ribbons.
Glassmakers from the Venetian island of Murano have also been making very special glass beads since the late 1400s. A big feature of Muranto glass is that this art form brought art glass -with limited functionality – to the forefront of the art world. They were first designed in the 13th century to be displayed in the houses of the wealthiest families of Italy and that provenance still holds power today.
These glass art pieces exist to be admired, cherished, and kept safe. Despite the fact that they are not made to be durable, yet somehow they have stood the test of time. The pieces are world-famous for its unparalleled quality, exquisite range of colors, and great unsurpassed craftsmanship. The heavier, more substantial glass is what gives Murano glass its extraordinary reflective quality. Being handmade, they are not perfectly shaped pieces but that is what is loved about the Murano glass.
Look for a Pontil mark ( a scar where the pontil rod for blowing the glass was broken off when completed) found on the bottom of a hand-blown artwork, such as Murano glass.
Look to see if there are any Murano glass pieces with your heirlooms. They could be vases, bowls, jewelry, glasses, decorative pieces of animals, lamp bases, wine glasses, etc.
Photo: Murano goldstone vase.
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