How to Collect Venetian Glass

Select types of pieces. Venetian glass comes in many forms. They can be light fixtures, jewelry, drinking or decorative glasses as well as many other objects of material culture. Deciding what types of pieces you want your collection to contain may give you some starting ideas.

Set a budget. Venetian glass objects, especially those pieces that can be substantiated as quite old, are probably going to be expensive. You may want to set a budget as to your purchases. For example, you might buy one piece per quarter, season or year. You may limit them to holiday gifts. Make your passion for these options accommodate your buying power.

Acquaint yourself with an antiques dealer. In the case that you want all your pieces to be historically authentic and not reproductions, an antique dealer can help you certify a piece's value. Make sure that you tell any dealer from whom you're buying the glass that you want it authenticated by your third-party antiques dealer. If he balks at this, you know you have a problem. Besides, any commission you need to pay to an antiques expert is worth it if the glass itself is of potentially great value.

Have fun and do research. Venetian glass is both beautiful as well as the result of a centuries-old practice and refinement. Enjoy the subtle characteristics and vivid colors they offer you. Buy books to help you identify styles, objects and periods of production. The more informed you are as to the process, history and sophistication of Venetian glass, the better choices you'll make when buying and the more you'll enjoy your collection.