2022: The adventurous vintage Murano clam bowls

Whether your style is minimalist, a whirlwind of art and colour, or surrounded by signs of a long life, the beautiful Murano shell bowls will fit right in. Known for their organic, almost velvety surface and whimsical character, they bring a smile to everyday life.

2022: The enchanting vintage Murano shell bowls | See them here

But how do you recognize a Murano shell bowl?

1. Murano, Cenedese or Archimede Seguso – Look for the glassblower's signature

Start by looking for a signature from the glassblower. The easiest way to verify whether you have Murano glass is to look for a label. It is the manufacturer's verification and signature that you are holding Murano glass. For example, it may say Murano formia, Cenedese or Archimede Seguso. You can often locate the producer's location to see whether the glass was made on Murano or in Venice. If it was produced elsewhere, it is not Murano glass — it may be glass made using the same technique, but again, not Murano. Vintage Murano shell bowls can be hard to find with a label, and fortunately that's not the only way to verify the glass, but it is a good starting point.

Recognize a Murano shell bowl | Look for the signature

Example of a vintage Murano label, see more here

2. Enchanting shapes in Murano glass and beautiful shades

Murano shells are known for their imaginative shapes and the truly fantastic shades. The bowls were primarily made in the 1970s in a palette of pastel tones. Today, glass production is a heavily regulated industry to protect the health of glassblowers, but back then many glassblowers used strong chemicals to colour the glass and achieve the unique shades we love.

Especially the vintage Murano shells in pink tones are now nearly impossible to reproduce, since everything from arsenic to cyanide was used to achieve the luminous effect in the pink hues. Also distinctive are the bowls' shapes and sizes. The shells quickly evoke thoughts of a mix between the story of the little mermaid, the playful 1970s approach to interiors, and exclusive cocktail parties.

These may be some of the reasons they have become sought-after collector's items today — you simply won't find anything like them.

Vintage Murano shell bowl | Decorate with Murano bowls

Vintage Murano shell bowl, see similar here

3. Find unique characteristics of Murano glass

Murano is a handmade product and you won't find two identical pieces — always keep that in mind. If you are in a shop with Murano glass, the pieces will be comparable but will always have unique characteristics. Each Murano shell is mouth-blown in a mould and can therefore vary slightly in size and expression. You will also often find small, magical air bubbles in the glass that appear during the blowing process.

It can be difficult to judge if you don't have it in your hands but found it online. In that case, look for other characteristics — preferably the quirky traits that show the glass is handmade.