As the art of glass making began to expand and grow in the 15th and 16th centuries, Italy took control of the market. The government banned glass factories from the mainland and moved them to the island of Murano in an attempt to centralize the industry and reduce the risk of fire. The artists of Murano guarded their techniques, as authorities wished to keep a strong hold on the market. In the 18th century, Italy ceased to be a world power and at the same time lost their exclusive hold on the glass making industry, but it continues as one of the power players in the glass making world.
Due to the fact that all the glass makers were concentrated on the island of Murano, the island is chock full of glass making factories. Over time each factory has developed its own specific style, taking hints from other glass makers and producing a style of glass that is distinct to Murano. Several popular factories are Panizzi Eugenio, Seguso Gianni, Seguso Vetri, Virgilio De Biasi, Elite Murano, Ferro Murano, Formia, Antichi Angeli, Ars Murano, Barbini, and Barovier & Toso.
In the past, artists made Murano glass to imitate precious stones such as rubies and emeralds. Today, artists in Murano produce many different glass items. You can find Murano glass jewelry, or go for other collector items such as Christmas ornaments, bottle openers, vases, tableware, sculptures and chandeliers. Many glass artists will readily create a piece of glass art at the whim of a customer.
If you get a chance to visit Murano, visit some of the glass factories, and take a trip to the Museum of Glass, located in the Palazzo Giustinian. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter and until 5 p.m. in the summer every day except Wednesday. Tickets cost 4 euros and grant entrance to the museum, which displays the history of glass making on Murano. Many places in Murano give demonstrations with a brief overview of how a furnace melts the glass, and how the artist blows the glass and uses instruments to form pieces.
Make sure you do plenty of research before buying Murano glass. Many companies attempt to pass off glass made elsewhere as being a Murano original. In June 2010, Italian police seized more than 11 million pieces of Chinese glass being passed off as Murano glass. Head of the financial police in Venice believes that half of the items bearing the Murano brand are not even made in Italy. The best way to ensure you are buying real Murano glass is to go straight to the factory yourself! Of course, if that is not an option, look for a factory in Murano that has an online presence and buy directly from them.