Handmade Murano lamps: Why craftsmanship matters

In a world where almost everything is mass-produced, there is something nearly radical about an object made by human hands. Handmade Murano lamps represent a tradition where every single piece carries the marks of the person who made it. But what does “handmade” really mean in practice — and why should it matter to you?

What “handmade” actually means

Let’s be precise. When we at Vetro say our Murano lamps are handmade, we mean it literally:

• The glass is melted in traditional furnaces
• A glassblower gathers the molten glass on a blowing pipe
• The glass is shaped using only breath, gravity, and simple hand tools
• No machines shape the glass
• No two pieces are identical

It’s not just marketing. It’s a working process that requires 7–10 years of intensive training before a glassblower can call themselves a master. And even after decades of experience, every piece demands full concentration — the glass is unforgiving. One wrong move, and the piece is ruined.

Handmade vs. mass-produced: The real difference

It’s easy to say handmade is better. But let’s look at the concrete differences:

Light quality

This is where the difference is most noticeable. Mouth-blown Murano glass has an organic, slightly varying thickness that diffuses light softly and warmly. Machine-made glass has a uniform thickness that produces a more clinical, flat light. The difference is subtle but perceptible — especially in the evening when the lamp is the main light source.

Depth of color

In Vetro’s Candy lamps, the colors are fused into the glass itself. This creates a three-dimensional depth that printed or painted color can never match. As light passes through the glass, it interacts with the color layers in a way that changes depending on the angle of the light and the surroundings.

Durability

Mouth-blown glass that is properly annealed is actually stronger than much machine-produced glass. The controlled cooling process, which takes many hours, removes internal stresses in the glass. The result is a material that can last for generations.

Aesthetic quality

Subtle variations in mouth-blown glass — a small curve here, a slightly thicker wall there — give each lamp character. It’s precisely these “imperfections” that make mouth-blown glass alive and interesting to look at. Machine-made glass is perfectly uniform but — paradoxically — boring.

The glassblower’s training: 7–10 years of apprenticeship

Becoming a Murano master glassblower is not a decision taken lightly. The training follows a traditional master-apprentice system that has remained almost unchanged for centuries. Learn more about techniques and traditions in Murano glass art.

The apprentice (1–3 years)

You start as an assistant — holding tools, preparing materials, and observing the masters. You learn to read the glass’s temperature by color, understand how the material behaves, and respect the furnaces’ dangerous heat.

The journeyman (3–7 years)

Gradually you are allowed to perform simpler tasks under the master’s supervision. You train the foundational techniques — gathering glass, blowing, rotating, and shaping — thousands of times until the movements become second nature.

The master (7–10+ years)

Only after a minimum of 7 years can a glassblower take on the most demanding tasks independently. Many spend even longer, and the most skilled masters continue refining their technique after 30–40 years of experience.

What makes Vetro’s lamps different?

Many sell Murano lamps. So what sets Vetro apart?

Direct collaboration

We work directly with selected Murano workshops — no middlemen, no wholesalers. That means we know the people making our lamps and can ensure quality at every stage.

Exclusive design

Our Candy series is designed specifically for Vetro. The color combinations, shapes, and sizes were developed in collaboration with our partners for Scandinavian homes. You won’t find them at other retailers.

Quality control

Each piece is inspected before it leaves the workshop and again when it arrives with us. We accept only glass that meets our standards — and we set them high.

The complete experience

From our showroom in Copenhagen to our detailed installation guides, we strive to make the entire experience — from selection to installation — as good as possible.

Can you see the difference?

Yes. And you don’t need to be an expert to feel it. Here’s what to look for:

• Hold the lamp up to the light: Genuine mouth-blown glass has a lively, varying transparency
• Feel the glass: Hand-blown glass has a soft, organic surface
• Look at the patterns: In true Candy glass the swirl patterns flow naturally and organically
• Turn the lamp on: The light quality is warm, soft, and three-dimensional

The best way to experience the difference is in person. Visit our showroom at Prøvestensbroen 3A in Copenhagen, or explore our collection online — we offer free shipping on all orders. Have questions? See our FAQ.