The collection of antique and vintage Murano glass decorative objects on 1stDibs includes authentic Murano glass vases, bottles, bowls, sculptures and more.
These objects are made of Murano glass, named for the Venetian island of Murano, where glassmaking has been practiced for centuries, using a variety of artisanal processes. The glass is identifiable by its richly layered colors and characteristic gold or silver flecks inside the glass.
Every vintage Murano glass decorative object is unique. Authentic Murano glass often has small imperfections and irregular shapes due to the freeform creation process. This glass introduces dazzling pops of colors and provocative forms to your dining table, and mid-century Murano glass is particularly sought after by today’s collectors.
One of the earliest Venetian glass furnaces is believed to have been established as far back as the 8th century. While Murano glass is traditionally known for being blown glass, there are also Murano glass beads and mosaics, and the art of Venetian glassblowing has seen a range of different techniques evolve over the course of its long history. These techniques include calcedonio, millefiori and more, and enameling and gilding are also practiced at the furnaces. The celebrated filigrana technique is as old as Renaissance-era Italy, with origins in the 16th century.
This striking chandelier was created using the rigadin technique, which involves blowing the glass into a special bronze mold with grooves that leave an imprint on its molten surface, resulting in either decorative swirls or a ribbed effect.
There are many Murano glassmakers who have gained renown all over the world.
Ercole Barovier left an indelible mark on the world of Italian modernist glassmaking, for example — his vibrant use of color and exploration of innovative techniques yielded glass vases, chandeliers and other lighting and decorative objects that stand out in any interior many decades later. Barovier’s manufactory was eventually renamed Barovier & Toso, a name under which the company still operates today.
Archimede Seguso, whose company was later renamed Seguso Vetri D’Arte, redefined a 650-year family history of Murano glass-making with brilliance and novel techniques, elevating him to an exemplar for the maestros of his time as well as for future generations of glassmakers.
Founded in 1921 by Milanese lawyer Paolo Venini and antiques dealer Giacomo Cappellin, Venini & Co. played an important role in pairing forward-thinking modernist designers with skilled glassblowers. In Venini’s early years, the firm was led by visionary art directors Napoleone Martinuzzi and Vittorio Zecchin, and would eventually collaborate with Gio Ponti, Massimo Vignelli and Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala. In 1925, Venini earned the Grand Prix at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the design fair that introduced the Art Deco style to the world.
The story of Salviati glass, which supported the revival of Venice’s flagging Murano glass industry in the 19th century, began with Vicenza-born lawyer and entrepreneur Antonio Salviati whose love of Murano glass art and mosaics inspired him to establish his own mosaic and glass manufacturing firm.
Find antique and vintage Murano glass decorative objects on 1stDibs.
