Types of Murano Glass

History

• Venice is a city famous for its beautiful artwork. Murano is an archipelago island located near Venice, Italy. Glass artisans originally worked in Venice, but relocated to Murano due to the risk of fire from the large furnaces. Some historians also believe that glassmaking knowledge was so prized that the rulers wanted to keep these artisans on this separate island.

Authenticity

• Authentic Murano glass is created only in Murano. The artisans in Murano still produce handmade glassware items using numerous traditional techniques; you can take a tour to see the glassmaking process.

  Replicas or counterfeits of the style are called "Murano style" glass. Many replicas are produced in Asia and South America. Some unscrupulous vendors try to pass off these replicas as legitimate Murano glass. Now, all new Murano glass items made in Italy have holographic stickers with unique serial numbers to prevent counterfeiting.

Color

• Many types of Murano glassware use vivid and intense colors. Millefiori or rosette glass is produced by cutting bundles of glass rods into decorative, colorful patterns. Enameled, painted glass features colorful patterns that are painted on in layers. Ruby red glass is created with gold solution that produces a bright red shade. Submersion glass has different layers of colored glass that produce gradual color. Cameo glass is formed by fusing two separate colored layers of glass, and then carving the top layer to reveal the color underneath.

Texture

• Other types of Murano glass are famous for their patterns and textures. Cristallo Venezio, otherwise known as Venetian crystal glass, is the first clear glass ever created. It is used for chandeliers and some sculptures. Pulegoso glass has a rough surface layer with small bubbles inside colorless glass. Filigree glass has thin threads spun inside in a smooth or spiral-like pattern. Lattimo, a finely textured glass, is called "milk glass" due to its white color.

Metallic Additions

• Some Murano glass incorporates metallic elements, which produce a shimmery finish. Gold engraved glass is clear glass in coated in gold leaf, and then engraved with a pattern. Sometimes the gold leaf is inserted between two glass layers. Avventurina glass is clear glass with small pieces of metal shavings inside; artisans usually use copper for this type of glass. Chalcedony is a dark-colored glass fused with several bands of metallic colors to form a quartz-like pattern.

Items Produced

• A variety of glassware items are made with different types of Murano glass, including elaborate chandeliers, imitation gemstones, pedant lights, sconces, table lamps, vases, mirrors, paperweights, stemware glasses, crystal sculptures and artwork. Handmade glass beads, called Venetian glass beads are also made in Murano and can be used in crafts and jewelry.