What is so special about Murano Glass and why is it so famous?
Murano Glass is special because it is an art form that exists on Murano island in Venice, Italy for over a thousand years. Murano Glass is so famous because it is handmade by highly skilled master artisans. Each item they create is a work of art. Owning a Murano Glass piece signifies not only having class but also being a part of a long Venetian tradition and knowing how to enjoy the finer things in life.
Here are the three main things that make Murano Glass so special:
1. Murano Glass has a long history.
Practiced in Venice at least from the 8th century, Murano Glass became one of the Venetian republic’s key industries by the 1200s and all glass-making factories were moved from Venice to Murano in 1291. Since then, Murano Glass art became famous and popular far beyond the shores of the Venetian republic. It was favored by monarchs, nobility, and successful merchants for its radiance, translucency, and feather-light weight.
2. Murano Glass is an art.
Murano Glass initially was simply a craft that required skilled hands and involved a repeatable process. Today Murano Glass is a recognized art form. Many Murano master glassmakers made the name for themselves in the art world by being bold and daring. They are known for realizing the emerging art trends of their time in glass form, or by collaborating with other artists across the art spectrum. World-famous last names such as Salviati, Toso, Barovier, Zecchin, Capellin, Seguso, Scarpa, Bianconi, Martinuzzi, Barbini, Zanetti, Rosin, and many others make up the hall of fame of Murano Glass Art.
3. Authentic Murano Glass is valuable.
Unlike many other decorative pieces that are mass-produced today, every authentic Murano Glass piece is an original creation made by hand according to the ancient tradition. This means many things. First, each piece reflects the heart and soul of the artist. Second, it embodies the unique beauty and radiance of Venice. Finally, beyond the monetary value, it has sentimental value that cannot be measured.
If you are thinking about selling your Murano Glass piece down the road, there is a large market of Vintage Murano Glass both on specialty Murano Glass sites like GlassOfVenice and on specialty art and vintage marketplaces such as https://www.1stdibs.com and https://www.rubylane.com, as well as on various auction houses’ websites.
In this article, our experts tried to help you understand why Murano Glass is so famous and special. Here we try to give you a bit more background on that.
In short, Murano Glass items are made in small factories and workshops on Murano island entirely by hand. The glassmaking process has changed little over the centuries and the master glassmaker uses only very basic tools to create Venetian glassware.
Today Murano Glass is a recognized art form, with its own famous names. It is also a vanishing craft, which is protected by UNESCO. By granting such protection, UNESCO confirms that it’s an important part of the history of growth and development of humanity, and a significant component of the world heritage.
People who have been to Venice, Italy instantly fall in love with Murano Glass after browsing small boutiques and large galleries that fill up the island of Murano and Venice itself. If you buy your own Murano Glass artwork, whether in a store in Venice or online, please know that it is not merely a piece of jewelry or a vase. It is a way to get closer to the beating heart of Venice that is as strong today as it was a thousand years ago.