Murano Glass in Venice ItalyMurano glass is very special, very expensive but exquisitely beautiful. Once you see the real thing you will have no trouble recognizing the cheap imitations. I hope to be able to help you with a brief guide on where to buy your glass. It is so easy to get ripped off in the shops around St Marks Square that this guide is essential reading for those who would like the genuine article at a decent price.
First I would like to begin with a bit of a history lesson. If you know all of this, then just skip down to the bottom for our guide on where to shop. The History of Murano Glass in VeniceMurano is a suburb of Venice dating back to the middle ages. The glass making industry attracted the finest glass craftsmen from the East - of particular note were the Syrian craftsmen. The Murano story begins in 1292 when the glass making industry was moved from Venice to Murano for safety reasons – basically the kilns kept starting fires in Venice. Venice in that period was built of wood and fire was not exactly welcome. Murano then developed into a rich village in which many of the Venetian aristocrats build magnificent palaces. True Murano glass is made from silica extracted from the Cogòli del Tesìn basin. It is world renowned as the purest and most crystal clear glass to be found anywhere on earth. Exquisitely made murrine are one of the most beautiful examples of the art of the Murano glass makers. Murrine are still made by hand in the same way they were made in centuries past, the shear quality and work involved justifies completely the high price one has to pay for what is, in all respects, a work of art.
Where to Buy Glass in VeniceIn Venice there are two place I can highly recommend. These are as follows: Tommasi Glass Tommasi has been making glass for generations. Quality is superb and prices reasonable (as Murano prices go). The factory is right in the heart of the Murano district. Contact details are: Tommasi & Figli, Murano - Museo, Rivalonga Conterie - 30141 Venice Italy Phone: +39 041 736051 fax: +39 041 5276182 E-mail: info@tommasi.info Atelier Glass For all things Murano, Atelier is well worth to visit. I find their chandeliers and mirrors in particular to be gorgeous. The address is: Atelier Glass snc,
Cannaregio 234 Lista di Spagna, Venice, Italy,
tel-fax +39-041-716 727
If you can’t get to Venice then Glass Murano will bring the best Venetian artisans to your home. They deliver worldwide and the quality of the glass is superb. Their site is a bit difficult to navigate but my advice is to persist as their products are invariably better than those on more glitzy competitor sites.
You can visit them here.
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