Hobbies And Interests
History
Murano glass has a long and colorful history, which is a large part of its appeal. The glass is created today much as it was centuries ago, using many of the the same methods and materials, by artisans who have generations of experience behind them. At one time, Venetians so treasured this art and its secrets that they cloistered the glass-makers on Murano, threatening death to those who tried to leave.
Popularity
One of the reasons Murano glass is so popular, in addition to its rich history, is because it is so accessible. Some glass pieces are worth thousands of dollars, while others can be purchased for a few dollars. From tiny "candies" that can be purchased from street stalls and the factory glass shops, to pure works of art displayed in prestigious galleries, Murano glass appeals to a wide cross-section of collectors. Murano glass can be made into whimsical figurines or large, breath-taking vases, depending on the skill and inspiration of the artist.
Method
Visitors to Murano may feel as if they are stepping back in time, for the furnaces and equipment used by the glass masters are much as they were hundreds of years ago. The glass-maker heats the glass, called silica, in a furnace until it is pliable enough to manipulate, but not so much that it is liquid. It's called the "workable thermal interval" and is the point when the glass-maker creates his art. By adding soda ash to the silica, the glass is pliable at lower temperatures, but the glass-makers to this day highly guard the exact formulations of their glass creations.
Fakes
It can be difficult for the average person to recognize fake Murano glass, but auction sites and retail stores are filled with glass called Murano that is more likely to have come from China than a glass-maker in Italy. Fakes tend to be less elegant, more garish, and are smaller than real Murano pieces, according to the glass experts at Italian Glass. These fakes can still cost unsuspecting buyers, typically tourists, hundreds of dollars. High quality fakes---those that are advertised as copies---can fetch thousands of dollars. The best way to know you are buying real Murano glass is to purchase it through a reputable dealer or travel to Murano and buy the glass in person.
Quality
When determining the quality of Murano glass, one must look at its symmetry, clarity, and intricacy of design. Glass-makers often use Murano glass as the standard for excellence in glass-making. Today's designs tend to be more simple than those created in the past--not only because they are labor-intensive and time-consuming to create, they would also be exorbitantly expensive to purchase.