Murano lamps are handmade by Italian glassblowers from Murano or the surrounding area. They are characterized by their colorful glass, patterns and distinctive shapes
Vintage Murano pendant in a soft pink shade with a brass suspension.
The flat flush-mount lamps can easily be installed on 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 piece 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 unsigned — but you might be lucky. If the glassblower engraved their name, the signature can be hard to spot, so we recommend checking in daylight.
During the 1970s/80s it became more common to put a label/sticker on the glass to indicate origin. We often find that previous owners have removed these on vintage pieces.
Vintage Murano mushroom with original label
2. No two Murano glass pieces are the same
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 find two identical pieces. If you do, it is not mouth-blown glass — you are likely looking at pressed glass (mass-produced).
They look similar, but they are never exactly the same. This is where you can really tell you're holding a mouth-blown piece of glass. See other wall lamps
3. Beautiful hues, challenging techniques and special patterns
If you travel to Murano island in the Venetian lagoon you'll be immediately overwhelmed by the intense hues and decorative glass pieces that fill the island. Renowned glassmakers such as Archimede Seguso, Venini, Flavio Poli and Fratelli Toso have created some of the most recognizable Murano art pieces, experimenting with every color of the rainbow. At Vetro we are equally fascinated by the techniques that come forward on white opal glass.
The carafe here is a combination of the well-known strong hues and unsurpassed quality.
Have you been tempted to visit Murano? Read about our last trip here
