The handcraft behind Murano glass
Is it made of glass from a special place? Or made with the help of special techniques?
It's actually both. Murano glass can be many things, different styles and patterns but common to all is that Murano glass is produced by maestros in and around Murano.
The Italian masters use only simple tools to shape, polish and make the glass perfect.
Most of these tools were developed during the Middle Ages, and both the tools and the glassblowing process have not changed much since then.
This method of glassmaking takes the form of unique and colorful creations with beautiful patterns and shapes.
These are called advanced Murano glasses and are made by the so-called Maestros.
Murano's special glassblowing process is over a thousand years old, having been discovered by local craftsmen of ancient Roman glassware at the end of the first millennium and continuously developed and improved since then.
Very thin layers of real gold or sterling silver are often added to the glass blend (also known as gold leaf or silver) along with various minerals to give it vibrant colors and designs.
Although beautiful glass and crystal have also been created elsewhere in the world, none of the glass produced still has such a rich history and as much artistic value as Murano glass.
