Chalcedony Glass of Murano: An Ancient Glass, Forgotten and Then Rediscovered

Murano glass artwork is a particular and defined universe which has never ceased to evolve, redefine, explore and reinvent itself since the 1291 with the issuance of the Decree ratified by Serenissima to move the furnaces to the island.

The cases in which, over this path of more than seven centuries, particular compounds were forgotten and then rediscovered are not lacking in the chronicle of this fabulous artwork. In this long period, indeed, there were times when the search for ancient techniques like chalcedony glass making was really central to the Murano Masters’ horizon of interests.

The second half of the nineteenth century is emblematic. Considering that until about 1850 the aesthetic experiment was still dominated by Renaissance and Baroque taste, in the following decades it was possible to undertake an in-depth analysis of archaeological finds collected in various museums, including Etruscan, Pompeian, Roman, Phoenician and Assyrian objects.

The Rediscovery of Chalcedony Glass

In this somehow philological spirit of glass studies there is also the rediscovery of chalcedony glass, whose composition had been encoded in the lagoon towards the middle of the fifteenth century, but then, after about a couple of centuries, felt into oblivion.

In the middle of the eighteenth century, this resource of Muranian glass work arose from her ashes thanks to the Master Lorenzo Radi, a curious and great innovator in the field of artistic production. This true reconquest of the creativity allowed the island to regain one of the most precious gems of its own collection.

The 3 Distinctive Features of Chalcedony Glass

The Name: The reference to gemstones or value stones is not entirely confined to metaphor.In this case, in fact, the chalcedony glass takes its name from a variant of quartz, the one in which it appears as a compact mass of microcrystalline silica, already used in antiquity as a decorative element for the creation of cams and carvings.

The Variety: But, the chromatic range of chalcedony glass does not stop at a single type of stone. In the vast and unpredictable color varieties that this vitreous typology embraces, it is possible to recognise all the nuances of agate, onyx, malachite, lapis lazuli and jasper.

The Composition: Particularly difficult to realize, chalcedony glass has the peculiarity of joining the canonical glass sphere with silver salts and other coloring oxides.This extraordinary chemical process, coupled with the talent of the Masters of Murano, allows the creation of wonderful works in which an opaque background is streaked with enchanting warm and dark shades, a real turbine of lights and shadows capable of ravishing even the eyes of the most experienced observer.

The rediscovery of chalcedony glass is in full view at OriginalMuranoGlass.com – the leading online store for a wide range of artworks handmade using vintage Murano glass techniques. The chalcedony glass sculptures the website offers are truly captivating. These include glass animal figurines, abstract sculptures, lovers fusion, and so on. One can also shop for stunning Murano glass lamps and chandeliers, mirrors, hand blown drinking glasses, vases, glass photo frames, and plenty of other Murano wedding favors right here.

Present Murano Glass Photo Frames for Indelible Memories

Among many memories of a lifetime, those enclosed in photo frames are the most precious: the ones that we want to see again and again every day. Choosing photo frames is always an important moment, because we decide to relive that picture again, enriching our home with that image and inserting it in our day-to-day lives. With the valuable work of the master craftsmen of Original Murano Glass, it is easy to give the right value to each photo, thanks to photo frames created and customized for every need.

Choose Your Unique Photo Frames from Various Colours and Styles

 

Thanks to the wide selection of photo frames offered on OriginalMuranoGlass.com, you can opt for frames in gold, silver, decorated in murrina or inspired to particular artists. Each type of photo frame on offer is totally handmade by craftsmen of Murano glass. This ensures a product 100% Made in Italy, ideal as a gift for the next Christmas or as a gift for wedding or other important events.

You can choose the most suitable colors and the type of decoration that best matches the design of your home.Choose a theme as a gift for a special event or meeting and complete the gift by inserting a meaningful picture. The signature of the craftsman who has completed the work is found on every object in Murano glass. Thanks to this signature along with the certificate of authenticity, every photo frame will certainly be a precious thing, devoid of any falseness sold even with plastic material in the market these days.

It is advisable to avoid fake and small value products and trust a team of professionals that has made Murano glass making their own profession. Residents of the island of Murano and witnesses of ancient traditions, OriginalMuranoGlass.com always strives to create exquisite handmade art works such as Murano glass photo frames, thanks to the tradition their ancestors passed to them. Count on them to treasure your indelible memories in precious photo frames!

In addition to these lovely glass photo frames, Original Murano Glass offers a wide range of Murano wedding favors, romantic gifts for Valentine’s Day, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, and original corporate gifts. Some of the gift choices you can opt for here include plates, bottle stoppers, drinking glass sets, glass animal figurines, balloons, flowers, glass sculptures, small vases, watches and clocks, paperweights, scent bottles, goblets, cufflinks, and many more. The world-famous craftsmanship of Venice glass is truly showcased in all these objects. Just explore it right away!

Murano Glass Plates and Bowls as Centerpieces to Transform Your Table

Glass plates and bowls as centerpieces are the right idea to embellish your table during any festive season; a sumptuous glass plate in which you can serve the Christmas cakes or an elegant bowl that makes your kitchen or living room even more precious and welcoming. Murano glass plates and bowls are ideal to adorn the ambience on any special occasion such as Christmas, wedding, birthday, Valentine’s Day, etc.

When you buy plates or bowls in Murano glass, you’ll have the option to customize the decor of your kitchen, to welcome guests or to embellish any area on a special occasion.

Embellish Your Table with Plates and Bowls

Nowadays, the fashion and interior design industry has ventured into the process of recycling that involves the reuse of various materials with which you can create unique works of art. The World Wide Web is full of instances and ideas to enrich and literally play with your home decor. However, this is not for everyone! If you have no time or are not able to devote yourself to the art of “Do It Yourself” to create an original centerpiece for your table, you can find the right idea on OriginalMuranoGlass.com.

The website of Original Murano Glass offers a lot of exclusive bowls and plates in Murano glass such as:

•    Empty Pocket collection of fused glass

•    Fused glass blue centerpiece collection

•    Sombrero Bowls

•    Sbruffi Centerpiece Bowls

•    Murrina square plates

•    Centerpieces in mosaic or Venice paint

All the collections presented on OriginalMuranoGlass.com are works of master craftsmen of Murano glass.These are completely made in Italy and certified by a special guarantee of authenticity. By buying on the website, you will have the possibility to ensure not only an authentic work in Murano glass, but also to take advantage of a customer service system that is always available and of the possibility to order and personalize your purchases directly online. The thing that makes your Murano glass plates or bowls even more valuable is the opportunity to adapt themselves to the times and furniture, always preserving a high value.

Hence, shop for glass plates or glass bowls for centerpieces on OriginalMuranoGlass.com and give your table as well as room a well-deserved makeover! From vintage Murano glass designs to contemporary ones, the website takes care of all tastes and preferences of its buyers. Other fascinating artworks the online shop offers include Murano glass sconces and chandeliers, sculptures, vases, drinking glassware, Murano glass pendants, glass fish aquarium, etc. You can also visit their Murano glass factory and witness a live demonstration of various glass making techniques by expert craftsmen. Just book your visit beforehand on their website!

Murano Glass Mirror – 7 Steps to Make this Reflective Venetian Artwork

A mirror has always been a suggestive element. Jim Morrison said, "Remember that life is like a mirror:she smiles at you if you look at her smile."Roman Price, the founder of social motivational website LifePulp.com, wrote: "If you’re still looking for that one person who will change your life, take a look in the mirror.”

From aphorisms to cinema, from poetry to animated design classics, from music to everyday life, the mirror crosses our path in many situations. It is a useful object but has always been a decorative element of great importance in the aesthetics of a home, a palace,and an office as well.

History of Venetian Mirror: From Its Origins in Versailles to the Present Day

The Venetian mirror, one of the most renowned facets of Murano glassware tradition, adds to the usefulness and sense of taste of a multi-century tradition that has been refining over time without ever betraying the fundamental principles from which it had originated.

After a first production dated back to 1369, the Venetian mirror had under gone two fundamental moments in its phase of early development; first, the introduction of crystal glass in the middle of the fifteenth century, thanks to the inventor Angelo Barovier and second, the definition of an effective and functional process of polishing glass plates by Vincenzo Redor in 1540, which makes this reflective object to be a real marvel of the sixteenth century design.

From that moment on, artisans and artists involved in the creation of mirrors have consolidated their fame internationally, taking on a prominent role within the Serenissima. An example is the case of Gerolamo Barbin, born in 1661, who, enticed by the Minister of Finance Jean-Baptiste Colbert, went along with some of his colleagues to Louis XIV France, despite the restrictions of the Republic of Venice on the export of this kind of precious knowledge. There he worked for a few years at the Manufacturing Royale des glaces de miroirs, in the Parisian district of Saint Antonine, and even came to work at Mirror Gallery in Versailles. Expressing the desire to repatriate, thanks to his unique ability and creativity, he obtained the approval of Venice and resumed his production in the lagoon.

How is a Venetian or Murano glass mirror realized? Following are the 7 key steps involved. Even today the expertise and inventiveness of Murano artists come to the fore in all the fundamental steps needed to create these extraordinary handmade objects.

1.    As the preliminary step, the design of the mirror is materialized based on the measurements and the study of the "light", the arrangement of the glass parts which will then, in their reciprocal matching, compose the mirror as if it were a puzzle or a mosaic. Unlike jigsaw puzzles and mosaics, however, the Venetian mirror usually does not consist of many small fragments, but of a small number of marginal sections that go to form the perimeter of a broader reflective surface.

2.    Then a wooden structure is madein dimensions suitable to accommodate both the mirror that is being prepared and the frames that will accompany it.

3.    Once the glass plate has been cut to the desired size,the surface is wisely engraved with the most varied decorations, from floral textures to bucolic scenes of the Renaissance taste, from miniatures of static or moving animals to representations of mythological events or characters.

4.    Silver is then poured on the plate.This is an extremely delicate procedure, in which the skill of the craftsman has the task of not letting impurities and spreading a silvery veil of homogeneous thickness.

5.    If required, an aging chemical treatment is performed based on specific compositions capable of giving the mirror all the charm of vintage taste.

6.    The mirrors are then placed inside frames often very elaborate (almost a work of art in a work of art), laminated in gold or silver and fastened with nails with covered top in glass.

7.    Venetian mirrors can be completed with the grafting of crystal decorations along the margins, additional elements that can further embellish an already-effective creation itself. These crystal sculptures are made in Muranese furnaces and generally represent floral subjects such as leaves, flowers or little branches, and have carefully selected colors (by designers, mirror artisans or customers) in order to create chromatic effects of refined taste.

You can explore a host of authentic Murano glass mirrors handmade using the above 7 fundamental steps at OriginalMuranoGlass.com – a big Murano-based online shop for Venetian glass objects. It is home to exquisite selections of Venetian glass lamps and chandeliers, blown glass figurines, hand blown drinking glasses, glass bowls for centerpieces, exclusive vases, beaded jewelry, gift items for various occasions, and so on. If you love art glass, the website is definitely worth visiting.

Murano Glass Pendants Prized the World Over for Their Purity

Murano glass pendants are world-famous for their purity, elegance and years of tradition of making glass. The use of finest raw materials results in artworks of unequaled purity- a trademark that makes Murano glass pendants and other items much sought after. Owning and wearing glass pendants made in Murano is like flaunting a fine piece of art. Each piece is handmade and no two pieces are alike. Still Murano glass objects are handmade using traditional processes and not mass-produced. This makes your Murano pendant a unique and highly prized artwork. You will feel stylish and graceful, whether you wear a casual outfit or a classy dress or a night gown. Murano glass jewelry is one of the beautiful adornments women can rely on to enhance their beauty.

Why to purchase glass pendants from Murano?

One of the important reasons to buy glass items from Murano is its authenticity. Unfortunately, with the rise of globalization,the market is literally flooded with fake glass products from the Far East and places far away from Murano. Some of the competitors choose to make profits by selling these fake products.

How to be sure of Murano glass pendants and jewelry?

People value and appreciate the beauty and its rich history. So, to avoid such types of counterfeit products, people should know how to buy original Murano items. Following are some tips to help people buy authentic Murano glass jewelry like pendants, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

•    Specialized only in Murano glass: Opt for sellers that don’t sell anything else but only Murano glass products like pendants, beaded necklaces, small personal accessories to tableware, home decor, lighting, mirrors, etc.

•    Connection with glass masters personally: The products of Murano are handmade personally by glass masters and artisans. They work over the years and develop many beautiful glass effects and techniques and produce beautiful glass items. With constant feedback, they work hard to achieve high quality products that follow the latest trends.

•    Assurance of quality and origin: Each original Murano glass item comes with the certificate of authenticity in Italian and English to assure you that the glass items you purchase are genuine. Each piece has the signature of the glass master. They have stickers of only official Murano glass consortium or written Made in Italy on products.

•    Venetian artistry and Murano glass artistic heritage: Due to fake glass products Murano glass industry is incurring heavy losses. Even most of the shops are closed down due to difficulty finding enough clients. To value Venetian artistry and Murano glass artistic heritage, you have to acquire some knowledge about real Murano glass items and then buy it from reputed and original sellers.

How to use Murano glass pendants?

Use handmade Murano glass pendants to create simple necklaces with the addition of a leather cord or chain. Most of the lamp worked pendants come with holes and can be strung simply on a leather cord or chain.

Shop for the best-quality, authentic Murano glass pendants and Murano beads Italy at OriginalMuranoGlass.com, based in the island itself. An owner of a traditional Murano glass factory, this online business has emerged as the ultimate destination for Venetian glass products for the last few years. From glass sculptures, vases, hand blown drinking glasses to Murano glass sconces, centerpieces, Venetian mirrors, glass photo frames, and Murano wedding favors, you can discover hundreds of mesmerizing artworks by visiting this website. It delivers products safely and quickly worldwide.

Murano Glass Factory: A Guide to Venice’s Glass Island

Murano Island is located on the north side of Venice. In the year 1291, Venice government ordered glass masters to move their furnaces to Murano for fire safety reasons. Since then, the glass objects that have been made in Murano are famous and sold worldwide. The artisans have been constantly refining their techniques to create all kinds of glass effects.The artworks they produce have been known for their highest degree of quality and creativity for centuries. Glass makers usually pass on their craft to the next generation in their family.

How to get there?

You might be approached by different salesmen who offer the service of taking to the Murano Island and their furnaces by free boat rides. If you take the offer, then be prepared to buy the items in their showrooms with a lot of pressure. Visiting Murano by using a public means of transportation is much preferred. Once you reach the island, get off at any store. Make a plan to spend a half or full day to stroll through various shops.

Where to visit?

If you want to see glassblowing in action, then visit the island in the morning of weekdays and keep your eyes and ears open. Most of the major glass studios do not allow walk-ins (you need prior bookings), but you never know you could encounter one. There is one furnace that is generally open for visitors every day. It is called “Ellegi Glass”.However, it is recommended to make an appointment at their website OriginalMuranoGlass.com to experience the best service. After getting off from the public boat stop "Murano Faro" you just need to walk a couple of minutes at your right, passing the lighthouse, along the bank, until you reach building number 4B. Inside this traditional factory, you can see a live demonstration of some classic techniques of glass blowing.

Tips for visiting Murano glass factories

•    First, try to visit a Murano glass factory in the morning and don’t expect much action in the lunch hour.

•    In Venice, public transportation is much convenient. Think wisely before going for the pick and drop offer of salespeople.Some of them may unduly pressurize you to buy glass items from their showrooms.

•    If you are a serious collector or buyer of glass objects, you may be able to visit some of the important furnaces by appointment. If you have any contacts in Murano, it is suggested to make arrangements through a gallery, dealer or decorator.

•    Glass factories are normally closed during August, though a few tourist orientations may stay open.

A trip to Murano is easy but the thing is when you wander through the small shops, you may fall in love with some glass pieces. Instead of buying from them, it is recommended to attend a free demonstration conducted by a popular glass factory first. Next, you may visit their shop/showroom to enjoy the entire range of artworks they make and buy some in the end. Sometimes, they will hand you some free samples. Most often, you can get a chance to buy their unique and beautiful glass items at discounted prices.

Original Murano Glass (Ellegi Glass) owns a traditional, yet famous Murano glass factory that produces lots of vintage Murano glass artworks with the help of experienced glass masters every day. As mentioned earlier, you can see a free glass blowing demonstration inside this factory by making a prior appointment at OriginalMuranoGlass.com. The website is also a one-stop shop for Venetian glass lamps and chandeliers, blown glass figurines, drinking glass sets, Murano glass mirrors, beaded jewelry, and beautiful gift items for various occasions.

Murano Glass Fish Aquarium: An Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea

An aquarium is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic animals or plants are displayed. It is a water-filled tank in which fishes swim around.Small aquariums are usually kept in homes by fish lovers. In many cities, there are larger public aquariums.

Most of the aquariums consist of glass panes bonded together by 100% silicone sealant and plastic frames are attached to the lower and upper edges for decoration. A glass aquarium can be constructed up to 1000 liters. The first modern aquarium made of glass was developed in the 19th century. Earlier, glass aquariums commonly had steel or slate bottoms which allowed them to be heated underneath by an open flame source of heat. These aquariums had glass panels attached with metal frame that was sealed with putty. Sometimes, laminated glass was used which had the advantages of both acrylic and glass. For many years,glass aquariums have been a popular choice to decorate homes. Compared to acrylic, glass aquariums are more scratch resistant.

Instead of keeping live fishes and underwater animals in the aquarium, have you ever thought of adorning your home with a Venetian or Murano glass aquarium featuring beautiful lifeless fishes? A stunning work of art, the Murano glass aquarium sculpture is handmade using very difficult techniques like Sommerso. First, the glass master makes the little fishes and afterwards, they are molten in glass stone at a higher temperature. This can also be an innovative way to have an aquarium at home. There is no maintenance at all. You’ll never have to feed them and never change water since they never die. And you can have a nice holiday whenever you want!

Following are some of the best Murano glass aquariums handcrafted by glass masters.These are available in different sizes to decorate your home.

•    Small sized aquarium ball: The lovely fish ball aquarium is made with Sommerso technique. It is handmade by a difficult technique. As mentioned above, the glass master first creates the tiny fishes, which are then molten in a glass stone at a higher temperature.

•    Round aquarium: These aquariums are also handmade with Sommerso technique. This is a creative way to have an aquarium at home since it doesn’t require any maintenance and the fishes never die; you know why!

•    Fused glass aquarium: This beautiful sculpture is made with the technique of fused glass. It is handmade in layered glass.

•    Tropical aquarium: This luxury sculpture is made with the Sommerso technique and comes with a LED light to let it shine. It is full of charm and elegance and a fantastic piece of art.

•    Fish abstract: This abstract sculpture is worked free hand on a punty in solid glass and also polished by hand. It is rich in elegance and attention to details.

These are some of the popular Murano glass aquariums made using original Venetian glass making techniques and are a great gift idea for any occasion. You can bring home a genuine glass fish aquarium made in Murano by ordering it from OriginalMuranoGlass.com. This big online Venice glass shop offers a wide variety of glass animal figurines, glass bowls for centerpieces, exclusive vases, drinking glassware, chandeliers, mirrors, jewelry, original corporate gifts, and so on.