Venetian Glass: Murano's Art

Venetian glass is luxury art made on Murano island.

Venetian glass uses soda–lime glass with fancy decorations.

Murano island has made glass since the 13th century.

Cristallo is Venetian glass so clear it looks like crystal.

Lattimo glass is white and looks like porcelain pottery.

Venetian glassmakers moved to Murano in 1291 by law.

Murano glassmakers could not leave the island without permission.

Murano glassmakers created beads used worldwide including Americas.

Aventurine glass has sparkly copper specks and was found by chance.

Millefiori glass shows flower patterns made from colored canes.

Murano mirrors were famous for artful frames and high quality.

Giuseppe Briati made grand chandeliers shaped like flower bouquets.

Glassmaking secrets were closely guarded by Murano’s glass guild.

Murano glass peaked during Renaissance as a luxury art form.

Today Murano draws tourists with its glass factories and museum.