murano glass

How do we work?

We work it the same way our ancestors have worked it for centuries. Today’s furnaces are almost identical to those of a very distant past: since Roman times, the processes and tools for working glass have been passed down through the generations, helping to shape the art of glassmaking in a unique way.

What techniques do we specialize in?

In over 45 years of experience, we have specialized in the processing of blown glass, never losing sight of the fundamental values ​​of elegance, creativity and tradition. For this reason, among the numerous techniques that we integrate into our work, we are very proud to master the filigrana , incalmo , zanfirico and reticello processes. The latter in particular is one of the most complex and advanced techniques, which involves the creation of a net pattern through the interweaving of thin glass threads.

How do we work?

What techniques do we specialize in?

The beating heart of every furnace is the main oven , where the glass melting process takes place . This fascinating ritual requires a lot of patience, 24 hours, to reach a temperature of around 1200° and prepare the glass for processing. Now that the glass has reached a liquid state and the impurities have been eliminated, we take the necessary quantity, called bole , and begin to shape the object.
This phase requires extreme skill and mastery as it is necessary to perform fast and precise movements. The shaped object is ready to face a second crucial phase: we carefully transfer it inside the muffle , or annealing oven, a 600° environment where, over the course of the night, it will slowly cool. This step is essential to temper the glass, ensuring that it solidifies without forming internal tensions that could cause it to break.

The main work area, called piazza , is made up of 4 stations. The most important belongs to the maestro, who is responsible for shaping the object and coordinating his collaborators. The other figures, perhaps less known but always fundamental, are: servente , serventino and garzonetto . Each has a very specific task and it is only thanks to the harmony between the various members of the team that it is possible to create true works of art.

How many people does it take to make an object?

Glass is made up of 3 fundamental elements: silica sand (vitrifying), soda (fluxing) and calcium carbonate (stabilizing). In the past, the silica sand used for Murano glass was extracted from quartz river pebbles. Today, it comes from the Fontainebleau Quarries , renowned for providing extremely pure sand. Among the other raw materials used to make Murano glass, we also find very high quality colorants. Usually these are metal oxides that allow us to obtain saturated and brilliant colors, an example is gold oxide that is used to obtain the traditional “ruby red”, or manganese oxide that allows us to obtain various shades from purple to black.

Why is Murano glass so famous?

Murano glass is a true Made in Italy excellence and among the various reasons that have made it renowned throughout the world there are certainly:

Centuries-old tradition: Glassmaking in Murano has a long and illustrious history that dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Republic of Venice decided to move the glass furnaces from the main island of Venice to Murano. This decision was made not only to avoid the risk of fires caused by the furnaces, but also to preserve the secret of the glassmaking techniques. These secrets have been jealously guarded and passed down through the generations only to members of the Murano community, a practice that has helped preserve the authenticity and originality of the glass works.
Craftsmanship: Glassmaking requires considerable precision and skill. Murano artisans are renowned for their extraordinary skill in shaping objects and are considered among the best in the world.
Innovative techniques: Murano has been a center of innovation in glassmaking. Murano glassmakers have developed and perfected many techniques, including millefiori, avventurina and blown glass, contributing to the variety and originality of these works of art.
Unique Design: Murano works are renowned for their exquisite designs, often incorporating intricate details, vibrant colors, and sinuous shapes. The glass masters are admired for the creativity and originality of their masterpieces, which range from majestic chandeliers to the smallest art objects.

Why is Murano glass so famous?

To an inexperienced eye, recognizing original Murano glass may not be easy, which is why we recommend you pay attention to these details:

Brand and Certifications: check for the presence of the VETRO ARTISTICO® MURANO brand , a collective brand established by law 70/94 by the Veneto Region which certifies that a product is made in Murano. RCR is a licensee of the VETRO ARTISTICO® MURANO brand no. 102. Be wary of wording such as “made according to the techniques of Murano glassmakers” .
Color and transparency: Murano glass is distinguished by its bright colors and extraordinary transparency, characteristics that derive from the use of high-quality raw materials and the application of specific artisan techniques for its purification. While some micro bubbles and “irregularities” may be present as evidence of the craftsmanship, it is certain that glass of dubious origin or of lower quality appears duller and more opaque.
Weight and thickness: another characteristic that makes Murano glass a true excellence envied throughout the world is its unparalleled lightness. Although there are various processing techniques, such as fused glass or solid glass, when it comes to blown glass, lightness and thinness are indicators of authenticity, the result of the extraordinary mastery of Murano glassmakers. Unlike poor imitations that are more squat and coarse to the eye and touch.
Price: Glass processing requires time, skill and passion. When considering the purchase of a Murano glass product, the price can serve as a significant indicator of its authenticity and provenance. It is essential to understand that the price of Murano glass reflects its authentic value in line with an exclusively artisanal production, which follows rigorous quality standards and respects current environmental and industry regulations. On the other hand, imitations are often sold at ridiculous prices, as they are made without respecting the regulations, exploiting labor and using lower quality materials. Compromises that result in a less sustainable, ethical and authentic choice. These practices not only damage the reputation of Murano glass art, but also defraud consumers who may not be aware of the difference.

Although we believe it is always possible to distinguish a product made with mastery and high quality raw materials from a poor reproduction, we are aware that for those who have never had the opportunity to see our objects up close, this step is not so immediate. Therefore, first of all we invite you to come and visit us in our showroom in Fondamenta dei Vetrai 100, in Murano ( www.glassfantasymurano.com ), touching and seeing our products up close will allow you to appreciate the artisan quality and then it will be much easier to recognize the authenticity of Murano glass.