Italian glass is renowned worldwide for many reasons, including the fact that it is a widely recognized art form. Even the practical pieces you can use, such as plates, cups, and glasses, are beautiful and intricately designed. The center of Italian glassware carftsmanship is the island of Murano in Venice. Here, handmade glass is produced using methods dating back a thousand years. However, glassmaking existed in Italy as far back as the Roman times and influenced the techniques in future years. In this article, we will examine why Italian glassware is special. 

Italian Glassware Has a Long History

The first thing that makes Italian glass exceptional is its long history. It has developed over the years to become a pure art form.

The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire period lasted from 27 BC until 476 AD. During this time, the Romans occupied territories of many modern-day European countries as well as some in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Even though the Egyptians and Mesopotamians had already created glass, it is believed that the Romans made the first artistic pieces. They produced beautiful glass chalices, perfume bottles, beads for jewelry, and stained glass. The glass material was made in the Eastern Mediterranean, broken up, and then exported to Italy to be made into these unique pieces. To make the glass, sand was mixed with lime, soda, and silica sand and then melted into a mixture that could be blown into different shapes. From early on, the glassmakers knew how to create colored glass, which enhanced the appearance of glassware. For example, they added iron to the glass mixture for a green color, manganese for purple, and copper and cobalt oxide for blue. 

Glass in Italy Up to the 12th Century

Glass continued to be produced in Italy continuously even after the fall of the Roman Empire. In 1960, the remains of an 8th-century glass factory were found on the Venetian island of Torcello. Venetian glass gained popularity and by the early 12th century, the Italian glassware center was in Venice and glassmaking had become the city’s major industry.  High-quality items were produced, and a Glassmakers’ Guild was set up to protect the secrets of the glass trade. In 1271, a law was passed stating that foreign glass couldn’t be brought into the city, nor could foreign glassmakers work in Venice.

The Move to Murano in the 13th Century

 In 1291, all glassmakers were sent to the island of Murano – the commune that combined seven islands in the Venetian Lagoon near Venice. It was feared that the furnaces could cause a fire in Venice, a city filled with many wooden buildings. However, historians believe another reason was that the trade secrets would not be revealed to competitors. A few years later, in 1295, another law was passed stating that the glassmakers weren’t allowed to leave Venice. However, in exchange, they were given an elevated social status and their daughters could marry into nobility.

The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Venetian Glass

The glassware produced in Murano was acclaimed around the world, helped by the fact that Venice dominated the main sea trade routes during the Renaissance. Artisans worked hard to produce sophisticated glassware, and many new techniques emerged during this period. However, by the 17th century, Venice’s monopoly of trade routes declined and when Napoleon conquered the city, he got rid of all the guilds. In addition, glass was now produced cheaply in other countries. However, the glassmakers kept their profession alive and during the 19th and 20th centuries, Italian glassware made in Venice experienced a revival, and Murano again became the artistic glass capital of the world. 

Why Italian Glassware is Different From Other Types of Glass

Italian Glassware is Handmade

One of the reasons that Italian glassware is so special is that it is made using Venetian glassblowing techniques that have barely changed in the last millennium. The glass is entirely handmade, which takes time and effort to create, making each piece unique and valuable.

How Italian Glass is Made

When making Italian glassware, elements such as silica, soda, lime, and potassium are heated in a furnace at 1,500 Celsius until the mixture becomes almost liquid. Sometimes shards of gold or silver are added for a stunning effect, and minerals are used to give color. Manganese, for example, makes the glass colorless, zinc makes it white, and cobalt, blue. The stunning sparkles in Aventurine glass are created with the addition of copper shavings. The liquid glass is then mouth-blown and hand-crafted with iron tools as the mixture is extremely hot. 

The Types and Techniques of Italian Glassware 

Another reason that Venetian glass is special is that different types and techniques are used to make it, providing for a wide range of styles. You are bound to find pieces that suit your home décor. Let’s take a look at some of the most outstanding techniques which have been created.

Cristallo glass was developed in the 14th century by Angelo Barovier. It was the first colorless glass produced in Venice and differed from other supposedly colorless pieces of glassware that had a yellow or green hue. Artisans make Cristallo transparent glass by mixing manganese with the glass mixture, creating a pliable glass that can be blown into dainty pieces with thin walls.  It is also the technique used to make mirrors.

Another technique is Smalto, which makes enameled glass. It is hard-wearing and used to make jewelry, mosaics, and decorative art.

Aventurine glass is a beautiful example of Italian glassware and would make an eye-catching addition to your home. It glimmers, glitters, and shimmers, and looks like there are gold shards in the glass. However, this is just an illusion created by adding a metallic copper compound to molten glass. When it cools, crystals are formed, the slower the cooling, the bigger the crystals. Made properly, the crystals face the same way and reflect light. This technique was perfected in the 17th century.

Millefiori glass is a high-end product that was once purchased by royalty throughout Europe. The name translates to a ‘thousand flowers’, and the pieces look as if they are covered with fields of flowers. Many different colors make up each item and create a pattern when cut into cross sections.

Finally, let’s look at another technique, Lattimo, a semi-opaque glass with a pink-blue glow. It was created in the 15th century, the masters craft Lattimo glass by adding tin, lime, or lead to the glass mixture. It is often decorated with blue enamel and is comparable in looks, if not technique, to Chinese porcelain.

Italian Glassware is an Art Form

Venetian Handmade Glass is Famous in the Art World

The glass produced in Murano is stunning and comes in vatious shapes and sizes. Some pieces are simple in appearance, while others are intricately designed. What is common between them is that each glassmaker puts his heart and soul into every item, producing works of art that are admired the world over. The intricate techniques and the high-quality materials make each piece a collector’s item. Murano glassware is sophisticated and expertly made and so deserves its high price tag. 

Italian glassware turned by Venetian glass masters into an art form has been a big influence on artists worldwide. From the 19th century, glassmakers from other countries flocked to Murano to see the glass being blown, even though many techniques remained a secret. An air of mystery surrounds the island which many find irresistible.

Famous Glass Makers

The Salviati company is one of the most prominent glassmakers in Italy. Antonio Salviati founded the company in 1859. He started producing mainly mosaics and then ventured into creating sophisticated Lattimo pieces and opalescent glass with floral patterns, including glasses, cups, and amphoras. His mosaics were popular worldwide and decorated famous buildings such as the English Houses of Parliament. After World War II, the company expanded to lighting and created stunning projects, such as the 9-tonne, 22-meter-high chandelier in the Parma Chamber of Commerce. 

The Fratelli Toso family founded their company in 1854 and created mainly millefiori pieces. They still produce many different items, including chandeliers, one of which was commissioned by the Murano Glass Museum.

Paolo Venini is one of the most famous Venetian glass producers. He opened his glass-making factory in 1921, and one of his artistic directors, Carlo Scarpa, introduced techniques such as submerging and hammering glass. He used color and texture to create stunningly vivid pieces. One of Venini’s designers, Fulvio Bianconi, was one of the first glassmakers in Murano to create a human being in glass, often with a playful touch.

The famous 20th-century artist, Archimede Seguso, created spectacular chandeliers and amusing animal figures. He used the Sommerso technique, placing colors on top of each other to create layers.

Italian Glassware is Valuable

There are many reasons why Italian glass demands a high price tag. The first is that it is handmade glass so even if a piece is replicated, there will still be something slightly different to make it unique. Because it is handmade, each piece takes time to create, unlike mass glass production. Artisans produce a limited number of each item which, because of high demand, pushes the price up. People want to own a piece of Murano glass because of its history, the mystery surrounding it, and the skill of the glassmakers.

Another reason that Italian glassware is valuable is that it is made using ancient techniques going back at least a thosuand years. Some techniques even have their roots in Ancient Rome. 

Murano Glass is exquisite and timeless. It is made with extraordinary skill and precision making it worthy of a high price tag. 

UNESCO Protects Italian Glassware

 UNESCO protects areas and things of outstanding value to the world and, because Murano Glass is a recognized art form, it is protected so that future generations can enjoy it.

How To Know If a Piece of Venetian Glass is Authentic

With so many fakes on the market, knowing if you are buying a genuine piece of Italian glassware crafted in Murano can be difficult. These tips should help you determine if an item is authentic or not.

1. Many (but not all!) Murano glassmakers sign their work, so look for signatures or initials on the item. There could be forgeries, but if there is a signature, it is more likely to be a piece of Venetian glass.
2. If the piece is intricately designed, there is a good chance that it is Murano glass. Elaborate patterns, swirls, and twists are common for Murano glassware, but difficult to reproduce.
3. Because it is handmade glass, there could be imperfections like imperfect polished surfaces, bubbles trapped inside, and a pontil mark on the bottom, so look out for these.
4. If the glass has vibrant colors, then it is likely that it is from Murano. If the colors are dull, the piece could be imitation.
5. Check the price. Murano glass is expensive. If the piece seems too cheap, it is likely to be fake.
6. Buy from a dealer with a good reputation. Do plenty of research.

The Best Place to Buy Italian Glassware 

Naturally, Italy is the best place to buy the glassware so if you are visiting Italy head to Murano and buy from one of the stores. Some even offer sessions where you can watch the glass being blown.

If you can’t get to Italy, there are websites where you can buy Venetian glass. Again, do your research and pick the sellers who have the broadest range of Italian glassware, offer loads of information about Murano Glass and have been in business for many years.

Celebrating The Ancient Art – Italian Glass Weeks

Italian glassware is an important part of Italian artistic and cultural heritage. It merits its own celebration in September each year in Milan and in Venice. Milan commemorates the manufacturers of equipment and special products used to make artistic glass, while Venice celebrates artistic Murano Glass pieces. The Milan Glass Week has been running for over 40 years while Venice Glass Week has been on since 2017. There are exhibitions, workshops, art installations, tours, shows, children’s activities, and cultural meetings. Attending the Glass Week in Venice is a great way to learn about the historical and cultural background of Murano Glass and to appreciate a wide range of Italian glassware styles and craftsmanship methods.