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 fitting.
The flat flush ceiling lights can easily be mounted on flat surfaces and are ideal for rooms with low ceilings or used 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 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.
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 from vintage glass.
Vintage Murano mushroom with original label
2. No two Murano glass pieces are identical
Blowing glass is a craft and Murano stands in a class of its own; in fact, Murano glassblowers are among the most esteemed in the world. Because the glass is blown and then shaped, you will never encounter two identical pieces. If you do, it is not mouth-blown glass — you are likely looking at pressed glass (mass production).
They look alike, but they are never exactly the same. This is really where you can see that you are holding a mouth-blown piece of glass. See other wall lamps
3. Beautiful hues, challenging techniques and unique patterns
If you travel to the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon you will immediately be overwhelmed by all the strong hues and decorative glass pieces the island is filled with. Renowned glassblowers such as Archimede Seguso, Venini, Flavio Poli and Fratelli Toso have created some of the most recognizable Murano artworks, playing with every color of the rainbow. 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 strong hues and unsurpassed quality.
Have you been tempted to visit Murano? Read about our last trip here
