Murano blown glass is renowned for its craftsmanship and history

Glassblowing is a difficult craft, requiring precision in the work, and mastery of the latter. This art form is still in vogue today, especially as it is used in the design of contemporary household items and accessories.

When it comes to blown glass, Murano glass is internationally renowned for its quality, color range and craftsmanship. Murano glass products have a unique style and a long history. Murano blown glass is made by glass experts on the island of Murano, which is adjacent to Venice, Italy’s tourist destination.

Murano’s glass industry dates back to 1291, when the Venetian government ordered Venetian glassmakers to move to Murano, as a precaution against a massive fire. Since then, the small island has emerged as one of the world’s leading glassmaking centers. The history of the fascinating art of glass can be found at the Murano Glass Museum, located on the island where the glass takes its name. There, you can admire the rare and delicate shapes.

Murano glass is a time-honored craft

Attractive blown glass works (works pictured by Sylvia Fennels)

Silvia Finiels, a French Murano glass designer and founder of Aventurina Design based on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy, explains that “Murano blown glass production has an ancient history dating back to 1200 and differs from the rest of Europe in the use of lime soda, the element that makes this type of glass a unique material in the world.”

“With the passage of time and changes in style, glass has maintained continuity due to its beauty, and the craft has inspired many artists and designers,” she adds.

“The most important features of glass are transparency, the relationship with light, and the secret of production that has been preserved over time. Moreover, glass continues to be contemporary because it is able to recreate reality, using countless techniques and new innovations. So artists’ research on glass will never end.”

Home details made of Murano glass

Pieces made of blown Murano glass (works pictured by Sylvia Fennels)

“There is an endless array of home accessories made from blown glass, including vases, chandeliers, sconces and wall lamps. Traditional production also includes the creation of beautiful sets of cups, plates and mirrors…” In Murano, there are many styles that correspond to the work of glassmakers, in collaboration with designers and artists. The research of forms reflects a modern style, but classical and organic inspirations can also be found, so that one can read the origin of the old school even in modern creations.

Shapes tend to be circular and smooth, with circular blown glass, spheres and color mixing to create different effects, every time. Blown glass technology makes it easier to create circular rather than linear shapes.

Nowadays, the range of colors is narrower than it used to be, due to the regulation of production, but colors like amber, smoke – a warm gray – cobalt blue and aquamarine are still fascinating and unique. Red is harder to create, but you can still find red pigeon blood, coral, and orange… and, of course, many shades of green. When the colors are placed on a white “latimo” background and layered on top, it gives a more modern touch to the whole creation.

Glass enjoys light and transparency. Therefore, the advice is to distribute glass decorative pieces, on shelves, tables and buffets, close to light sources, such as a window for example: A window, for example. Next, it’s worth considering wall lighting installed next to the nightstand or bed, which can create an atmosphere and magic, as can overhead “pendant” lighting.