Murano Glass Chandelier Design and Construction

Murano is a series of islands that are linked by bridges within the Venetian lagoon. This part of northern Italy is famous for a number of reasons, including its rich tradition of glass making and lampworking. The glass manufactured in Murano was used in the manufacture of numerous items throughout the centuries, including chandeliers, glass lampshades , and decorative light fixtures. Murano still has a number of glass makers who work in the traditional style, and still produce works of great beauty and character that they export around the world. Ever since 1291 the people of Murano have been linked to glass making and chandelier construction, where they developed and refined numerous glass making techniques that are still in use today.

While Murano is now actually a frazione of the commune of Venice, it was once an independent commune. In the year 1291, all of the glassmakers from Venice were forced to move to Murano because of the risk of fire. Due to this risk, Venetian galssmakers were actually ordered to move their foundries to the island, where they have stayed to this day. The Murano chandelier and glassmakers had an absolute monopoly on glass making for centuries, and became famous throughout Europe and much of the world for the many new and innovative techniques they discovered and developed. Some of the well known techniques that started in Murano and were used in the construction of chandeliers included glass beads, mirrors, aventurine glass, crystalline glass, enamelleddd glass (smalto), gold thread glassmulticolouredd glass (millefirir), milk glass (lattimo), and gemstone imitation.

While not all of these techniques were used in the construction of the murano glass chandelier, many of them were. The area of Murano suffered a loss of their glass making monopoly in the 18th century, although glass making does continue to be the areas largest industry. While many glassmakers around the world are now able to produce similar work to the people of Murano, people still visit the area to purchase authentic Murano glass and chandeliers. The area of Murano will always be linked to innovations in glass work and chandelier design, and will long have a place in the hearts of glass and chandelier lovers everywhere.