In A Glass By Itself: A Glance at Murano's Glass

"The best glass that is made in our time and that which is of greater beauty, more varied coloring, and more admirable skill than that of any other place is made at Murano."
The Pirotechnia of Vannoccio Biringuccio, Venice 1540 (A History of Murano Glass, life in italy.com)

Murano glass is the world-renowned product of the island of Murano, off the shore of Venice, Italy. Murano glass is the glass manufactured solely in Murano. At present, Murano holds the monopoly in producing Murano glass worldwide and has won fame for this skillful craft of glassmaking.

Murano was a trading port since the 7th century. By the 10th century, it flourished to become a prosperous, bustling commercial center. In 1291, the Venetian government directed the glass artisans to transfer their foundries to Murano because glassmaking posed fire hazards in Venice, whose infrastructures were mostly built out of wood during that time.

It did not take long for the Murano glassmakers to be first class citizens of the island. They enjoyed preferential treatment and were permitted to marry into wealthy and distinguished families. But this privileged status did not come without a price. Glassmakers were forbidden to leave the country. If they establish a shop outside the limits of the law, they ran the risk of being executed or having their hands cut off. But in reality, penalties for runaways were not as harsh.

The Murano glassmakers were so special because they were the only ones in Europe who knew how to make glass mirrors. They were the ones who developed and polished the technology in making different kinds of glasses such as the crystalline, enameled (smalto), multicolored (millefiori), milk glass (lattimo), ones with threads of gold (aventurine), and imitation gemstones made of glass.

Some well known brands today are the glass factories that played major parts in the history of Murano's unique craft. Among them are Venini, Salviati, Barovier & Toso, Seguso and Simone Canedese. Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso is the oldest factory which was established in 1854.

Pollux Parker is an adventurer who loves discovering secret island getaways in each country he visits. Pollux also likes to collect Italian flag and buy cheap Italian flag.