Glass has always had a special place in the imagination of men and women all over the world. In the medieval times, when glass was just invented, it was attributed with having special, sometimes magical, powers. People believed they could look into the future of a person just by staring at a crystal ball! Murano glass is one of the most popular types of glass that is produced in Europe. Glass goes way beyond the wine glass, champagne glass, light fixtures, crystals and chandeliers. They also include paperweights, figurines, decorative items to fine jewelry, necklaces and earrings, Murano glass and a wide range of other products.
Source: Wikimedia CommonsWhere is Murano?
It is a small island that located near the coast of Venice, Italy. Originally developed around the 13th century, glass making is an age old craft here and artisans from Murano were famed all over the world for their skill and knowledge in the art of glass making and glass blowing.
Why is Murano glass so popular?
Italians know the ins and outs on how to make glass. Italian glass has always been famous throughout the world. During the Roman Empire, glass making had expanded with thousands of pieces being manufactured every year. But after the fall of the Roman Empire when Europe plunged back into the dark ages, this fine profession almost died except in Italy. Here too, great fires from glass making furnaces often destroyed homes due to which all activities were shifted to Murano, just near Venice.
Artisans really began innovating and started producing gorgeous pieces of glassware in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The patterns on the glasses were achieved after several steps of melting the glass and giving it shape. Since it was a skill that required years of practice, no one outside Murano could really learn it and hence, it became an exclusive product from Italy. Consumers who know glass know Murano glass.
How to identity fake Murano glass
Unfortunately, fake Murano glassware has been around for as long as the original pieces and for a new collector, it can be difficult to identify fake Murano glass from the real deal. If you want to buy Murano jewelry or glassware, ensure that you buy it from a reputed dealer who has been in the business for a number of years. Otherwise, you can end up spending a fortune on “Murano style” glass that was probably manufactured somewhere in Asia. You can also identify pieces by identifying various labels of a maker or etched markings on the glass or you can ask for a certificate of authenticity.