subject: Murano Art Glass - What Sets It Apart From The Rest? [print this page] The art of Glass blowing has been practiced on the Island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon for over 1000 years. Practices, techniques and the skills of a lifetime have been passed down from Father to Son, From Murano Maestro to Apprentice. The love of Murano Glass and its quality is second to none!
My first piece of Murano glass was from a factory by the name of Cenedese, a small inconspicuous Red and Blue Somerso bowl which still has its original label. My fascination for this the incredible detail and sheer brilliance of finish kept me wanting to know more about this Murano glass and exactly what it was and the history behind it.
Murano Glass has been made in Venice since the 9th century. The artisans or "MAESTROS" as they are affectionately known were prisoners on the island in the very earliest days by decree of the King. Such was the brilliance and range of skills that abounded on the island and the various factories that produced glass, the King would not allow visitors anywhere near the island for fear of secrets and techniques being taken away and utilized by other glass blowers.
The art of the Glassblower takes years and years to perfect. This is not only true for just your run of the mill glass, but when it comes to Murano Glass, the extremely difficult techniques such as INCALMO, Filligrana and others take the Glass blower years if not decades to master.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, a style of Murano glass that is so highly sort after and collected today is "FACON DE VENISE". The sheer delicacy and range of items is simply gorgeous. Known primarily for their sculptural stemmed goblets, cups and vases, these items now command exceptionally high prices at auction due to their extreme rarity and the fact that very few of them survived.
Other items such as Veronese vase are simplistic in form yet of stunning execution and brilliance of design. Some Veronese vase contain hand painted cartouches with foliate gilding, quite reminiscent of the very best of Sevres porcelain. Museum quality items are exceptionally difficult to find so the modern Murano Glass Maestros now faithfully reproduce these items with quality and workmanship that would rival the original.
If you love Murano glass like I do, then you just simply cannot go past what we have to offer in store. Please visit us via our link in my Authors Bio and marvel at the most beautiful glass in the world - MURANO!
