The Characteristics of Murano Chandeliers

Murano Glass

• Glass is made from silica, soda, lime and potassium heated to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Glassblowing, a skill passed from master to apprentice in Murano, depends on skill, art and experience to shape the molten glass using scissors, wooden paddles and pliers. Murano glass is known for its deep, rich colors, which are achieved by adding minerals such as zinc, cobalt and manganese to the glass. Multicolored layered glass techniques are another specialty of Murano's glass makers.

Chandeliers

• Murano glass chandeliers come in small, medium, large or custom sizes. They most often feature upturned lily-shaped glass cups or low bowls with decorative rims to hold the light bulbs, arranged on arms around a central shaft of metal and covered with glass. They come in soft colors, such as pale green, pink and amber as well as multicolored and often feature accents such as glass flowers and leaves or threads of gold. The many surfaces of the glass reflect soft light.

Varieties of Murano Glass

• Using age-old techniques, Murano glass artists create special kinds of glass used in chandeliers and other products. Metal particles embedded in the glass impart a shimmering look in avventurina glass. Ice glass, or ghiaccio, is made by immersing hot glass in cold water, producing a crackled surface. Chalcedony has multicolored veins running through dark-colored glass. Glass with evenly spaced air bubbles in it is called bullicante and was common in the 1950s.

Millefiori

• A distinctive product, murrine or millefiori glass rods are made by layering different colors of glass to form a star or flower design when the rod is cooled and cut into cross sections. Millefiori means "a thousand flowers." To make a glass vase or other object, the paper-thin slices of glass are melted together to form a patterned surface.

Other Products

• Murano glass makers not only produce elaborate glass chandeliers but also other glass light fixtures, such as sconces, pendant lights, table and floor lamps. Murano glass vases and figurines -- especially birds and angels -- wine carafes with stoppers and jewelry are among the island's best sellers.