Murano | The Eldorado of Glass Craftsmanship

The ideal way to get there is by vaporetto. Located just 2 km from the Venetian city, Murano is by definition the closest Italian island to Venice and the most famous among tourists, along with the island of Burano. The art that has been developing there for centuries makes it a true paradise for glass crafts and glass for jewelry. This is a must-see site for all lovers of blown glass. So how did this extraordinary glass become known to the world to the point of becoming the famous "Murano glass"? How can you recognize it? Is it possible to get Murano glass cheap and yet authentic? This is what we will discover by starting by tracing the origins of this extraordinary glass. An exceptional material to be found in the form of beads for bracelets or necklaces and easily create magical Murano jewelry .

The beginnings of Venetian glass

Clear your mind of the idea that Venetian furnaces were used to make glass that was meant to be artistic and decorative. We are in the 10th and 11th centuries, and documents from the time mention a local craft , mainly intended for the production of everyday objects , such as drinking glasses or flasks.

For blown glass to begin to be perceived as an art, it was not until the 13th century and the Mariegola . A regulation that governed the rights and duties relating to the arts and crafts of the Venetian city and therefore to the art of glass transformation . But already, master glassmakers were allowing themselves small technical innovations such as:

• the introduction of morise (a type of wavy glass cord, pinched and applied to decorate the glass);
• the addition of pigments during the manufacture of glass and enamel paints.

Fantasies that sparked an artistic awakening that would continue to push the boundaries of creativity .

Murano | Why the island has become the symbol of glass art

Ovens everywhere in Venice

From Piazza San Marco to the Church of Madonna Dell'Orto , passing by the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs , there were many glass workshops in the city. Each of them had a furnace close to the houses. As fires were widespread and more than devastating, it was imperative to remedy the disaster.

Located just 2 km from Venice the Serenissima , the island of Murano seemed like the perfect place to welcome the Venetian glassblowers who had become too threatening for the population. Moreover, arousing increasing curiosity from neighboring countries and fears that their techniques would be imitated, Murano proved to be the ideal location to work away from prying eyes.

Thus, as early as 1295, the Maggior Consiglio decreed that all glass workshops should be transferred to the island. From then on, this small territory of only 1.17 m² became the preferred location for Venetian glass .

Did you know?

The island of Murano is also famous for its ever-present gardens . However, it also boasted some magnificent palaces that did not survive the occupation of Venice in 1797. Napoleon Bonaparte, then commander-in-chief of the Italian army, destroyed most of them.

It is from these palaces belonging to the Italian nobility that the word "casino" comes to us. Indeed, each of these beautiful residences had a "casin": a place dedicated first to pleasure and entertainment, then to gambling.

How is Murano glass made?

A well-kept ancestral technique

Admired by many sovereigns passing through Venice, the productions were brought back to the whole of Europe. Everyone as far away as Constantinople had appreciated or heard of Murano glass . Arousing enormous covetousness, the Venetian Senate had to issue a decree. Thus, from 1275, it was not only forbidden to ship the materials used in its manufacture , but also to export raw or broken glass.

A priceless treasure

In the 18th century, the height of its glory, formulas for Venetian glass were worth their weight in gold, and betrayals became a matter of state . Higher authorities even went so far as to send agents to France to kill deserting workers, poached by Louis XIV and who refused to return to Murano. Even today, glassmaking recipes are jealously guarded and passed down from father to son.

A manual production

The glass powder rises to a temperature of 1300°C inside the furnace and transforms into a paste that becomes liquid at 1500°C. Once the material is soft, the glassblower collects a ball of molten glass . Then, a magic trick takes place before astonished eyes combining:

• Strength and resistance .

After scooping the molten glass with his hollow cane, the master glassmaker must blow into it to create the shape. He must also keep it constantly rotating to distribute the material evenly.

• Dexterity .

The objects are worked using another solid rod (the pontil) to stretch or flare them. The glass is reheated as many times as necessary to shape it.

• Precision .

It takes years for any skilled glassmaker to master the art of using pliers, irons, and scissors. This experience is essential for identifying where, when, and how to bend and open the material.

• Timed gestures .

As it cools, the silica ball begins to solidify and become brittle again. Action must be taken quickly, even if it means repeating the process until the desired effect is achieved.

• Endurance .

The time it takes to make a vase or a carafe can take an hour, depending on the complexity of the work. However, sometimes it takes days or even weeks for the professional to craft the individual elements of an authentic Murano chandelier.

The greatest successes of Murano glass

Venetian crystal

It was born in the 15th century thanks to Angelo Barovier, an artist passionate about science who developed the alchemical process of an extremely pure glass , similar to crystal in its transparency. Called " crystalline glass ", it was later named "Venice crystal".

Murano colored glass

Venetian crystal was a huge discovery. However, it did little to overshadow Murano's specialty: the production of divinely colored glass .

Gold and enamel inlays

At the end of the 15th century, the "Golden Age" gave rise to splendid creations. Directly inspired by Venetian sculptors and painters, they were composed of enamels and gold leaf inlays . An art that can still be found today in the most beautiful Murano glass beads .

Spiral and mesh filigrees

These two new techniques contributed greatly to Murano's reputation in Europe. Developed in the 16th century, retortoli and reticello filigrees fascinated the aristocracy and caused a sensation.

Aventurine glass

This glittery glass originated quite by chance in the 18th century when a master glassmaker accidentally dropped copper filings into molten crystal. This is how the aventurine gemstone is said to have gotten its name, given its strong resemblance.

A glass craft rich in innovation and alchemy

Mixtures of glass and metals

Since knowledge was not what it is today, it took creativity and fearlessness to burn tin and titanium salts to give the glass an iridescent finish . Just as it did to embed tiny copper crystals into the material to give it a gold-speckled appearance and create aventurine glass.

Did you know?

Murano glass objects were so fascinating that they retained a magical status throughout history. They were said to be able to neutralize poison .

The audacity of Murano glass artisans

Vases, breathtakingly shaped glass chandeliers, and brightly colored, refined beads —there's no shortage of artistic references when you mention the name Murano. A glass craft that wouldn't be unparalleled if these Venetians hadn't played at being " sorcerer's apprentices ."

They thought of using metal oxides. They demonstrated incredible ingenuity. Between scientific understanding and audacity , the glass artisans of Murano have offered us unprecedented artistic creations for centuries and continue to offer them.

Unique Murano Beads for Magical Jewelry

The world of Murano magic also opens up to small objects for our greatest pleasure. Because, when you can't afford a Murano glass carafe or chandelier , it's very easy to treat yourself to magnificent pearl jewelry . Murano glass earrings, bracelets or necklaces, making them yourself is even more rewarding.

Cheap Murano Glass: Is It Possible?

Beware of the many imitations

Unfortunately, success often means counterfeiting. To know if the glass really comes from the island in the lagoon, choose your supplier carefully . Because there is a difference between cheap Murano glass and Murano glass that is not at all expensive! For an online purchase and authentic Murano glass beads at a reasonable price, you can always order from i-Perles . As specialists in exceptional beads at low prices , we guarantee their origin.

The main points to check before purchasing

To avoid this fraudulent trade, keep in mind that working glass by hand inevitably leaves small imperfections in the finished product . Tiny details like a slight asymmetry, the presence of a small bubble, or the weight of the glass, for example. When purchasing large pieces, a certificate of authenticity is essential to ensure that your work of art really comes from Murano.

Making authentic Murano beaded jewelry

Treat yourself and make your own Murano bead jewelry ! An affordable treat that—initially—will cost you less than a round-trip ticket to Venice and Murano.

Find everything you need for your Murano glass jewelry on our website without delay .

See you soon for the next article!