Murano lamps: The history behind the world’s most beautiful glass lamps
There are lamps that light up a room — and then there are Murano lamps that transform it. For more than 700 years, glassblowers on the small island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon have created some of the world’s most breathtaking glass. At Vetro we bring this tradition directly into Danish homes.
What is a Murano lamp?
A Murano lamp is a light source made from mouth-blown glass, crafted by certified glassblowers on the island of Murano in Italy. The term "Murano glass" is protected — only glass produced on the island may bear the name. It’s not just a lamp; it’s a piece of living craftsmanship with centuries of tradition behind it.
Every Murano lamp is unique. Even within the same design, no two lamps will be exactly alike, because the glass is shaped by hand at temperatures above 1,000 degrees. It’s this combination of controlled chaos and masterful craftsmanship that gives the lamps their soul.
The history of Murano glass
The story begins in 1291, when Venice’s authorities ordered all glass workshops moved to the island of Murano. Officially it was to protect the city from fire — the glass furnaces ran around the clock — but in reality it was just as much about keeping the glassblowers’ secrets under control. The glassmakers were so valuable to the republic’s economy that they were granted noble status, yet they were forbidden to leave the island.
This isolation created a unique environment where techniques were refined generation after generation. Families passed their secrets from father to son, and competition between workshops drove innovation. The result is glass art that is unrivaled in the world. Read the full history of Murano glass here.
Key milestones in Murano glass history
- 1291: The glass workshops are moved to Murano
- 1400s: Angelo Barovier invents "cristallo" — clear glass
- 1500s: Murano glass dominates the European market
- 1700s: Chandeliers and mirrors become export items across Europe
- 1900s: Artists like Carlo Scarpa renew the tradition
- Today: Modern designs such as Vetro’s Candy lamps combine tradition with the contemporary
The quality that makes the difference
What sets an authentic Murano lamp apart from mass-produced alternatives? The short answer is: everything. Read more about what handcrafted craftsmanship means in practice.
A Murano lamp from Vetro undergoes a process that takes days, not minutes. The master works with molten glass at over 1,000°C and uses techniques that require 7–10 years of training to master. The result is glass with a depth, clarity and color saturation that machine-made glass simply cannot match.
When you hold a Murano lamp up to the light, you can see the color layers interact. It’s not surface paint — the colors are the glass itself. They are fused into the material and will never fade or flake off.
Characteristics of genuine Murano glass
- Depth of color: The colors are integrated into the glass mass, not applied to the surface
- Unique patterns: Each swirl pattern is one-of-a-kind
- Weight and balance: Hand-blown glass has an even thickness and a pleasant weight
- The play of light: The glass diffuses light softly and warmly
- Small variations: Subtle differences that prove the craftsmanship
The process: From molten glass to finished lamp
Creating a Murano lamp is a multi-step process, and each step requires years of experience:
1. Preparing the glass mass
The raw materials — sand, soda, lime and metal oxides for color — are mixed according to secret recipes the workshops have used for generations. The mass is melted in furnaces at around 1,400°C.
2. Glassblowing
The master gathers a blob of molten glass on the end of a blowpipe. Using breath, gravity and simple tools, the glass is shaped into the desired form. For our Candy lamps, colored glass rods are added, melted in and twisted into the characteristic swirl patterns.
3. Shaping and decoration
While the glass is still hot and malleable, details are added. The master works quickly — there are only a few minutes before the glass becomes too cool to shape.
4. Annealing
The finished lamp is placed in a special cooling oven where the temperature is lowered slowly over many hours. This controlled cooling prevents stresses in the glass and ensures the lamp’s durability.
5. Quality control and finishing
Each piece is carefully inspected. The edge is polished, fittings are installed, and the lamp undergoes a final quality check before it is packed for shipment.
Vetro’s collaboration with Murano workshops
At Vetro we work directly with selected Murano workshops. It’s not a random partnership — we have built relationships over time and regularly visit the island to ensure the quality lives up to our standards.
Our Candy lamps are developed in close dialogue with our partners. We design the color combinations and shapes, while the masters contribute their technical expertise and centuries of knowledge. The result is lamps exclusive to Vetro — you won’t find them anywhere else.
Why choose a Murano lamp?
A Murano lamp is more than lighting. It is:
- A conversation piece: Guests will always notice it
- An investment: Quality glass lasts for generations
- Sustainable: Handmade with natural materials, no mass production
- Unique: Your lamp is the only one of its kind in the world
- Timeless: 700 years of design tradition never goes out of style
Ready to find your Murano lamp? Explore our collection or visit our showroom in Copenhagen to experience the lamps in person.