From the very beginning of glassmaking in the beautiful island of Murano, the production has only increased and the innovation continues to happen till date after creating several benchmarks.
In the 15th century, when the Islamic glass production decreased, Venice used blown glass as a means of creative expression. The first clear glass was produced during the second half of the 15th century which was decorated in coloured enamels. They depicted elaborate scenes of triumphs, fruits, and mythical figures which were inspired by paintings and engravings of the period.
This type of production also continued during the first quarter of the 16th century which re-affirmed the victory of clear and colorless glass. The creation of filigree glass which is one of the most unusual types of glass to be produced by Murano Renaissance glassmakers, was observed in this century. Another type of decoration was the flint or diamond-point engraving. Several other designs and innovations marked this century.
The 17th century did not present any particular technical innovations regarding glassmaking, but from a design point of view, it was a century characterized by copying Venetian glass but produced abroad, by local glassblowers. During the last quarter of this century, the first signs of a decline in the art of glass-making became evident. In fact, Bohemian glass was gradually becoming more popular on the market. Despite this, the 17th century was the period when the Venetian glass reached its peak.
The future of glassmaking seemed to be in jeopardy at the beginning of the 18th century. The crisis was eventually solved thanks to the new technique taken from Bohemia and made possible by the new quality of Murano “cristallo”. These products were called “Bohemia-style glassware”. For most of the 18th century, Venetian mirrors enjoyed enormous success.
In 1797, the Republic of St. Mark fell and a long series of political upheavals began with repercussions on the crisis which had hit the Venetian glass industry, causing unemployment. There was also a decline in artistic glass at the turn of the century. During the second half of the century, the art of glassmaking was gradually revived. After the war in 1866, the political and economic situation favoured the revival of the Murano glass industry. Towards the end of the 1890s, this period of revival came to an end in Europe and gave way to new trends which shifted away from ancient models.
Over the 3000 years of glassmaking, the production has faced several hindrances during the course. The work had been suspended during the First World War but the factories began the production again using functional and essential features. Post war period was observed with renowned enthusiasm for glass production.
In Murano the techniques practiced for centuries continues to be used with gradual innovations. But with the mass production come the inherent trouble of imitations which flood the market today. To safeguard the interest of buyers, Regione del Veneto have entrusted the trademark of Vetro Artistico® Murano that guarantees the glass product is authentic. It is the only legally recognized guarantee of a product being an original Murano Glass art piece.