Murano Glass Beads: The Art of Making These Elegant Beads

Before delving into Murano glass beads, we should first learn a bit about Murano glass. It is a type of glass exclusively made in Venice, primarily in the island of Murano. The place is popular in the whole world for its colorful, intricate and skillfully made products.

The Art of Making Murano Glass Beads

The procedure of making Murano glass is rather complex. In this whole process, glass passes from a liquid to a solid state. In between, there is a state when the glass is soft before it hardens completely. This is the particular time when the glass can be given different shapes. Murano glass artisans use different tools such as borselle, canna da sofio, pontello, scagno, and tagianti to accomplish their tasks.

For over 5000 years, beads have been made of glass. The discovery of fire was an important step in glass bead making. The history of bead making in Murano shows it all started when Marco Polo returned from his travel with the beads of Asia. Then local artisans took the Marco polo’s precious stones and produced the beads in glass by using their skills.

Wound Beads or Lamp Work Or PerleaLume Venetian Beads

Wound beads can be defined as ones having wound over a mandrel at the time of melting glass. Originally, the Venetian beads are the wounds over a ferrous mandrel which are then covered by a mixture of clay and silica which gives the bead some space for contraction. After it becomes cool, it is removed from the mandrel.

What Is the Difference Between Murano Beads and Venetian Beads?

Truly, there is no difference. It’s only a matter of marketing terms since Venice is more popular than Murano.

What Are the Beads Made of?

They are mainly made of 70% silica. Venetian beads are made of a type of glass known as soda glass with 90 degree COE which is a measurement of expansion in cooling and heating. The beads start to be made from glass rods produced in Murano. The round beads are very strong. The longer beads and shapes that have points are delicate. But it’s better to treat them gently as these are made of glass and can break.

Why Are Murano Beads Costlier Than Others?

While determining the price of glass beads, several factors need to be considered. One is the cost of labor. Another one is the availability and desirability of the product. In Venice, glass beads are still handmade. There are a limited number of people practicing this craft in Venice, so supply is also limited. They always provide original, high quality products. So, Venetian beads are not cheap to buy.

How Can You Take Care of Glass Beads?

Before using them, it is recommended to give the beads a good bath, because the process of making beads is importantly a chemical process. This way, there will be no residue left on beads. Soap and water are used to clean and make them shine. There is no need for stronger solution.

If you’re looking to buy Murano beads Italy, then it is advisable to visit OriginalMuranoGlass.com that specializes in authentic, handcrafted Murano glass artworks and boasts of its own factory on the island itself. From contemporary to vintage Murano glass, the online store offers a host of Murano glass pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, and wrist watches. In addition, buyers can browse through their selections of glass animal figurines, drinking glass sets, chandeliers, Murano glass mirrors, sculptures, bowls and plates, home decor accessories, Murano wedding favors, and lots of other gift items.

Venetian Glass Popular Worldwide for Being Unique and Colorful

Venetian glass is a type of glass products made in Venice, primarily on the island of Murano. It is popular worldwide for being colorful, elaborate and skillfully made. Most of the important characteristics of these products were developed by the thirteenth century. Towards the end of thirteenth century, the center of the Venetian glass factories moved to Murano. Byzantine craftsmen played an important role in the development of the Venetian glass. In 1204, some fleeing artisans came to Venice. By the sixteenth century, Venetian artisans gained control over the transparency and color of their glass products, and mastered various modern decorative techniques. Efforts were made to keep these glass making techniques within Venice, but they became known elsewhere and the Venetian style glassware was produced in other Italian cities too.

In the sixteenth century, Venetian glass makers used to make vessels using the millefiori technique. Diamond engravings were also made possible during this century by making improvements in the quality of glass. The staple products of the Venetian glass makers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were drinking glasses. The peculiar Venetian characteristics were the elaborate workings on the stem with tools such as pincers. Symmetrical wings are drawn at each side. This type of drinking glasses and some other vessels with flared bowls are known as bouquetiers. In the eighteenth century, competition from other countries caused a decline of Venetian glass.

Look-Alike Venetian Glass

Since the tenth century, Venice has been a trading and manufacturing center for glass. By the thirteenth century, Venetian glass making was restricted to the island of Murano. As a result, both Murano and Venice used to describe the same glass. Importers and tourists bought thousands of glass pieces in Murano, thereby skyrocketing their popularity. This led to the production of a high range of counterfeits and look-alikes. Sometimes, identifying Venetian glass can be frustrating because most pieces are not permanently marked at the time of manufacture. If they are marked, it is mostly with stickers and paper labels that can easily wear off through washing over time. It’s also possible that labels can be switched or removed.

So, the best way to identify lookalikes is to study them in details, e.g.by determining their glass making technique, design and quality of glass. A useful indication of Venetian origin is the color and quality of glass. Look-alikes are made of only two to three colors. Venetian glass is made up of average 5 to 9 or more colors and they are usually thicker.

Weight is another consideration to identify fake ones. Original Venetian pieces generally weigh more than the duplicates. Venetian artisans make things differently. So,their products weigh more than a comparable volume of faux glass. Venetian glass is the result of many centuries of dedicated experiments with glass and colors. And, no look-alike can take its place.

One can shop for genuine Venice glass artworks at OriginalMuranoGlass.com – based in Murano, Italy. Having its own Murano glass factory and showroom in the Island, the e-shop offers the most loved collections of Venetian glass lamps and chandeliers, mirrors, hand blown drinking glasses, beaded jewelry, glass bowls for centerpieces, sculptures, glass photo frames, exclusive vases, and lots of other wedding and corporate gift items. You can order your bespoke artwork here as well as ask for bulk order production. OMG ensures prompt delivery of products worldwide.

Murano Glass Sculptures Are Still Sparkling After 700 Years

Today, the unique Murano glass objects are famous all over the world as collectibles and gift ideas. The centuries of traditional expertise combined with contemporary designs make Murano glass the world’s finest pieces of art.

Murano Glass Sculptures and Figurines

Murano glass artists are accomplished in making all kinds of sculptures. Their handmade sculptures and figurines bring a miniature world onto your showcases and tables. All aspects of life are demonstrated by these outstanding artisans with mind-boggling clarity of the minutest of details. Their emphasis on depicting even tiny features without compromising their grace and beauty is often incredible. Murano glass sculptures have every kind of themes inspired by real life so that you can use them on any occasion. Any kind of festivals or special occasions like weddings, anniversaries and birthdays is thoughtfully and beautifully represented through these glass sculptures. These statues can also be used as home decor items. They can add an aura of elegance to any room. You many choose from themes such as lovers and dancers, abstract arts, heads and faces, clowns and comic caricatures, Venetian Goldoni figurines, animals, birds, fishes, marine life, and many more.

How to Buy Original Murano Glass Sculptures?

Murano glass sculptures range from small pieces for homes to monumental showpieces. They are unique and can raise status and vibrancy of your room. However, buying original Murano glass is also an art. Following are some tips discussed regarding how to buy an original Murano glass sculpture or any other artwork.

•    Each original Murano glass item is unique and handmade: Every piece is different from one another, i.e. these cannot be produced industrially. There are definitely small differences found in them. If you are not able to recognize the differences, then ask the seller to explain them. There are also color deviations, e.g. some are transparent, while others are light or bright colored. Look at the natural imperfection of the glass. This is true and emotional.

•    Final selling price of the product: Original Murano glass objects come in different budgets. Prices are based on the quality of decorations. These items have a well-defined cost  since they are made using ancient Venetian techniques, which require patience and time. So if an object carries a surprisingly low price, then it is surely not an original Murano artwork, but an imitation. Murano glass is a luxury object.

•    Request a certificate of origin: Original Murano glass must come with a certificate of origin, wherein detailed information about the product is mentioned. Thus, request a certificate of origin from the seller.

•    Check if the product is signed by the artist: Look for the artist’s signature. The glass object is signed by the artist on the surface. If you don’t see any sign, then ask the seller about it. Consulting on the web is always helpful. Fake signs can also be made. They are not 100% perfect at times. Hence, consult an expert pertaining to this matter.

•    Pay attention to the techniques used: Ask the seller about the glass making method used and beware of the glass colors.

•    Check the feedback online: Look for reviews from other buyers. Compare them and then decide to buy that beautiful and precious piece of Murano glass.

 

Authentic Murano glass sculptures can now be ordered from the comfort of your home. Simply visit OriginalMuranoGlass.com to explore a wide variety of blown glass figurines,handmade by artisans in Murano. The online Venetian glass shop will also mesmerize you with its Murano glass sconces, chandeliers, mirrors, vases, drinking glassware, jewelry, centerpieces, wedding favors, and original corporate gifts. You can also book a visit to their Murano glass factory through this website and see the live demonstration of how various artworks are made by glass masters.