The Art of Murano Glass
History & Traditions
/ History
The origins of Murano glass: from Venice to the island of masters, a tradition preserved for centuries.
The furnaces move to Murano
Birth of the Island of Masters
A decree of the Venetian Republic relocates glass furnaces from Venice to Murano to reduce fire risk. Concentrated workshops, skilled masters, and guarded know-how transform the island into Europe’s glass capital, setting the foundations for a distinctive artistic and technical tradition that will shape luxury tastes for centuries.
Angelo Barovier and Venetian “crystal-clear glass”
The Cristallo Invention
Master Angelo Barovier perfects exceptionally clear cristallo, a breakthrough in purity and brilliance. This innovation elevates Murano glass to prestigious courts across Europe, inspiring refined forms and delicate stemware that define Renaissance taste. The pursuit of transparency becomes a hallmark of venetian technique.
Salviati and the Murano Glass Museum
Rediscovering historic techniques
After a period of decline, Antonio Salviati helped revive Murano glass by focusing on mosaic restoration and artistic excellence. In 1861, Abbot Vincenzo Zanetti, supported by Mayor Antonio Colleoni, founded the Murano Glass Museum, which preserves patterns, formulas, and masterpieces fueling the island’s revival.
Venini is founded: a dialogue with design
20th-Century Design
With the founding of a new glassworks, Murano embraced modern design. Collaborations with architects and artists renewed forms, palettes, and techniques, propelling Murano glass into the avant-garde of the 20th century and contemporary art.
Tradition in Motion
Our Atelier Is Born
In 1993 we founded our workshop, opening a new chapter: Murano glass expertise and material found a home in San Bartolomeo in Galdo. Echoing 1291—when furnaces moved from Venice to Murano—we transferred and reinterpreted tradition with a contemporary identity, shaping original collections rooted in the great school of glass.
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Oven Temperature
Our ovens run 24/7 with a temperature range that varies from 1000° to 1200° Celsius
Arm protection
Our glass masters uses arm protection in order to withstand the heat coming from the oven
External Temperature
The external temperature of the ovens can hit 200° Celsius and high ceiling are needed to work with the heat of the summer
/ Glassblowing Techniques
From layered color to cane work. Murano techniques shaped in fire.
Sommerso
Cased layers (color over clear glass) fused and blown as a single volume. Soft edges, a suspended color effect, and pronounced optical depth. It requires precise control of viscosity and working temperatures.
Filigrana
Aligned glass canes fused into a sheet, then rolled up and blown: parallel stripes or diamond reticello with microbubbles. Graphic elegance, steady rhythm, and utmost rotational precision.
Murrine
Cross-sections of glass canes that contain intricate motifs like flowers, stars, or figurative designs. These sections are then picked up and fused onto the blown piece.
Avventurina
Copper crystals dispersed in the glass create a warm, pinpoint sparkle. Short hot-working and careful annealing preserve its brilliance.
/ Processing of Materials
The lampworking process consists of a high-temperature flame infused with oxygen (O2) that helps melt the glass rods. Rods are made in any color and various diameter. The use of small tools and good hands, help brings beautiful objects to life.
Enchanting the beauty of glass with precious metal is one of our mastership. Skilled workers everyday use the soldering techniques to achieve unique hand-crafted pieces. Usually made of brass or stainless steel, are then galvanized in 24K Gold bath or 999 Silver.
Most of the glass items, when taken out of the temper oven, are then cold-worked with the use of diamond based utensils. The help of water is needed to cool down the high speeds of these tools.
Pet therapy in the workplace brings numerous benefits, including stress reduction, increased employee satisfaction, and enhanced social interactions. Olivia is big part of it, being the company's cat that interact everyday with our workers. We at Cose Belle Cose Rare, believe that animals can create a more relaxed atmosphere, encouraging productivity and creativity.
The lampworking process consists of a high-temperature flame infused with oxygen (O2) that helps melt the glass rods. Rods are made in any color and various diameter. The use of small tools and good hands, help brings beautiful objects to life.
Enchanting the beauty of glass with precious metal is one of our mastership. Skilled workers everyday use the soldering techniques to achieve unique hand-crafted pieces. Usually made of brass or stainless steel, are then galvanized in 24K Gold bath or 999 Silver.
Most of the glass items, when taken out of the temper oven, are then cold-worked with the use of diamond based utensils. The help of water is needed to cool down the high speeds of these tools.
Pet therapy in the workplace brings numerous benefits, including stress reduction, increased employee satisfaction, and enhanced social interactions. Olivia is big part of it, being the company's cat that interact everyday with our workers. We at Cose Belle Cose Rare, believe that animals can create a more relaxed atmosphere, encouraging productivity and creativity.
