Murano lamps are handmade by Italian glassblowers from Murano or the surrounding area. They are distinguished by their colorful glass, patterns and distinctive shapes.
Vintage Murano pendant in a soft pink shade with a brass fitting.
The flat flush-mount lamps can easily be fitted to flat surfaces and are ideal for rooms with low ceilings or as a sculptural wall lamp.
Read about distinctive features of Murano here
How do I recognize Murano glass?
If you want to know whether the item in your hands is original Murano glass, here are some tips to look for
1. Look for the glassblower's signature or a sticker
Murano glass is a craft and is often not signed - but you may be lucky. If the glassblower has engraved their name the signature can be hard to spot, so we recommend checking in daylight.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s it became more common to put a label/sticker on the glass to indicate the origin. We often find that previous owners have removed these from vintage glass.
Vintage Murano mushroom with original label
2. No two Murano glass pieces are identical
Glassblowing is a craft and Murano is in a class of its own; in fact Murano glassblowers are among the most respected in the world. Because the glass is blown and then shaped, you will never come across two identical pieces. If you do, it is not hand-blown glass; you are likely looking at pressed glass (mass-produced).
They look similar, but they're never exactly the same. This is where you can really see that you're holding a hand-blown piece of glass. See other wall lamps
3. Beautiful shades, challenging techniques and special patterns
If you travel to Murano island in the Venetian lagoon you are immediately overwhelmed by all the strong shades and decorative glass pieces that fill the island. Renowned glassmakers such as Archimede Seguso, Venini, Flavio Poli and Fratelli Toso have been behind some of the most recognizable Murano artworks, where every color of the rainbow has been explored. At Vetro we are equally fascinated by the techniques that come forward on the white opal glass.
This carafe is a combination of the well-known vibrant hues and an unrivalled quality.
Would you like to visit Murano? Read about our last trip here
