You can’t say Murano without thinking of glass! Tell me the truth: do you also aspire to take home a beautiful artifact created by the skilled hands of a master glassmaker?
There are many stores in Murano where you can find wonderful glass works to buy produced by the island’s very own glassworks.
During your visit you might choose to watch a demonstration of glassblowing and perhaps then purchase your own handiwork signed by the master glassmaker who showed you how it is worked.
Read on if you would like to know which Murano artisans are best known and in which glassworks you might find the right purchase for you.
In addition, I will also explain how to distinguish authentic Murano glass and how to recognize it from fakes-remember that Murano artifacts are luxury goods!
Find out the best Murano artisans and in which little stores you can make the right purchase for you!
Murano Venice: Glass factory tour and demonstration
Watch a glassmaker at work during a day trip from Venice to Murano
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The best-known artisans and their glassworks
Toso Brothers Furnace, the oldest still in operation | ID 236506804 @ Stefan Rotter | Dreamstime.com
The glassworks are the heart of the island: here every day master glassmakers work and produce artifacts that are true works of art.
Inside their workshops it is possible to watch a demonstration of glassblowing, an essential experience for every visitor to the island.
Wondering which are the best glassworks on the island? First of all, whichever furnace you choose you’ll be fine: all those on the island are synonymous with professionalism and expertise.
You can choose the glassworks that inspires you most by strolling through Fondamenta dei Vetrai, or you might choose to attend the demonstration offered by the former Church of Santa Chiara, now known as The Glass Cathedral.
There are some glassworks that are valuable and world-renowned brands: such is the case with Seguso glassworks or Salviati.
You might choose to attend the blowing demonstration offered by the oldest glassworks still in operation existing on the island: this is the Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso, founded as early as 1854!
Finally, one of the most popular demonstrations on the island is the one offered by Vetreria Artistica Colleoni, located at Fondamenta S. Giovanni dei Battuti 12.
Finally, you can treat yourself to a “luxury” experience at the Venini glassworks, one of the world’s most prestigious brands that owns one of the largest existing glassworks in Murano and beyond.
How to recognize real Murano glass
It’s important to recognize original glass from imitations so you don’t run into nasty surprises. But fear not: there are signs to tell which artifacts are authentic.
First, works of art that come from the skilled hands of Murano’s master glassmakers often feature a mark or signature affixed by the master who produced them.
Sometimes the glassmakers accompany their artifact with a certificate of authenticity or use gold or silver leaf as decoration.
Want another piece of advice? Be wary of absolute perfection: some slight imperfections are typical precisely of manual workmanship and characteristic of techniques that do not employ any machinery.
Also be wary of the presence of opacity since Murano glass is characterized precisely by brightness, as well as lightness.
Glass candy, Murano artifact | ID 20910248 @ Alessandro0770 | Dreamstime.com
To conclude pay attention to the price: Murano glass can be considered a luxury good and as such it is fair to pay appropriately for it.
If you see prices that are too low a red light should light up in your mind: quality craftsmanship must be paid for, it is almost impossible to underpay for it.
Murano Venice: Glass factory tour and demonstration
Watch a glassmaker at work during a day trip from Venice to Murano
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Instant confirmation
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Where to find Murano glass: must-see stores and workshops
There are well-regarded stores on the island that showcase beautiful glass artifacts and are jewels for Murano: almost museums for the beauty of what they display.
Some of the most popular stores are those set up by the glassworks themselves: for example, admire that of Vetreria Venini, Vetreria Artistica Emmedue or Ferro and Lazzarini.
The famous Ferro and Lazzarini glassworks | ID 310986561 @ Iryna Budanova | Dreamstime.com
For example, in the store of Vetreria Venini you will find a unique production of high quality: specializing mainly in the production of vases and lamps.
Finally, I also want to point you to Tommasi Murano Glass, which is an outlet where you can find items at more affordable prices than in other stores.
Looking for something more artistic or a renowned signature? Try Massimiliano Schiavon Art Team, a store where you’ll find works of art signed by master Schiavon.
Frequently asked questions
Those who work Murano glass are called Master Glassmakers.
All the furnaces on the island are very competent and professional, so you will not be disappointed no matter what you choose. However, there are some glass factories that are well known in the world, such as Vetreria Venini or Salviati and Seguso. Among the most highly regarded are also the Vetreria Artistica Colleoni or the oldest still in operation on the island, that of the Fratelli Toso.
Glassmaking is free only in conjunction with certain events, namely open days. Some glassworks, on the other hand, provide free admission for children under 10 years old.
In Murano with children you can visit a glassworks that allows you to participate in a creative workshop together with your children. You can spend time at the Murano park, where a number of games are installed, or enjoy a good ice cream or a snack at the island’s clubs.
Conclusions
Here we have come to the conclusion of this article concerning the best-known Murano glass brands: glassworks symbolic of quality where you can shop.
We have discovered together which glassworks are the most popular and some of the small stores where you can find the perfect glass souvenir to take home with you.
I then explained how to recognize an authentic artifact from a non-original one.Now that you have all the information, look for works produced by the real artisans of Murano!
Finally, I answered the most common questions inherent to Murano glassworks and blown glass. Do you already have a Murano artifact in your home? Let us know!
Glass in Murano is something magical and unique that has helped write the history of the island and the lagoon: don’t let us tell you about it, come and touch and see for yourself the world’s most prized authentic glass!
Murano Venice: Glass factory tour and demonstration
Watch a glassmaker at work during a day trip from Venice to Murano
Secure payment
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
