Glassmaking in Murano

Venetian Glass, a brief history

Glassmaking in Venice dates back over 1000 years. The first written evidence of a glassmaster  is of the bottle maker Dominicus Phiolarius, dating back to the year 982. Prior to Venice becoming a city-state (around the time of the eastern roman empire), maritime connections with the middle east meant that Venetian glassmakers came into contact with the advanced skills of Syrian and Egyptian glassmakers. These glassmakers from the east had been producing glass long before their European counterparts. With an increase in production, it wasn’t long before the expertise of Venetian glassmakers was in high demand.

Due to the heat of the furnaces used in the production of glassware, there were many instances of fire in Venice. In 1291 it was declared that all glass factories were to be moved to the north of Venice, to a small group of islands known as Murano. By the 15th and 16th centuries Murano became the luxury glassmaking centre of Europe. In fact because glassmaking had become such a lucrative industry, if glassmakers wanted to leave the island, they needed permission from the government to do so. There was a fear that competitors would learn of the secret techniques of Murano glassmaking, and so leaving Murano without permission or revealing trade secrets, was punishable by death.

Murano glass and our retreat

Visit Murano and learn about the fascinating history of the surrounding islands. Did you know Murano was founded by the Romans? After the fall of the roman empire, many fled to Murano and settled. Learn about the past and present inhabitants of Murano. Connect with the environment around you and immerse yourself in the art and traditions of these picturesque water-ways.

Visit the famous Museo del Vetro of Murano which houses the largest collection of Murano glass in the world. In keeping with our philosophy, we believe it is vital we learn at the side of artisans who are dedicated to keeping these ancient traditions and techniques alive.

Our retreat will focus on lampworking, a method of glassmaking that involves melting and shaping glass using a torch or lamp to create glass objects. Unlike glassblowing, which usually involves working with molten glass from a furnace, lampworking uses pre-formed glass rods or tubes. This method allows for more detailed and intricate work, with artisans working with smaller flames, resulting in a more precise control over the glass.

5 stages of lampworking production:

1. Preparation: Select the type and colour of glass you want to work with. Glass rods and tubes come in various colours and types, each with its own properties and suitability for different types of projects.

2. Melting the Glass: A torch is used to heat a specific area of the glass rod or tube until it becomes molten. The torch provides a focused flame that can be adjusted for temperature and size. Different parts of the flame are used for different purposes; for example, the outer, cooler part of the flame can be used to shape and cool the glass, while the inner, hotter part is used for precise melting and sculpting.

3. Shaping and Manipulating: While the glass is molten, various tools and techniques are used to shape it. These tools can include marvers (flat surfaces for shaping), graphite or metal rods for forming and sculpting, tweezers for pinching and pulling, and more. Lampworking allows for intricate details and fine control over the glass.

4. Annealing: Glass needs to be properly annealed to relieve internal stresses and prevent it from cracking. This is typically done by placing the finished piece in a kiln at a controlled temperature and gradually cooling it down over several hours.

5. Finishing: After annealing, the glass piece may require further finishing touches, such as polishing, grinding, or attaching additional components like handles or fittings.

Lampworking can be used to create various glass items, including beads, pendants, marbles, figurines and many other ornaments and pieces of art. Lampworking requires creativity, skill, practice, and an understanding of the properties of glass to produce high-quality pieces.

Hear from David who booked a place on our glassmaking retreat earlier on this year:

“our experience was spectacular. Annette was a blast and adapted to our skill level and the whole flexibility for our larger than normal group was amazing. I could write a novel about my feelings on all this but it’s summed up with ‘if you want to live in a world with artisans in it, in our era, you must seek them out and support them.’ You have made that possible and I deeply appreciate it’’

During our retreat our expert artisan will demonstrate various techniques, including processing with submerged gold and silver leaf; use of glass powder and aventurine. The creation of aventurine glass in Murano can be traced back to the 15th century. The exact composition and techniques used to create aventurine glass in Murano have been closely guarded secrets passed down through generations of skilled glassmakers. Learn at the side of an artisan glassmaker, who will show you how to give your glass ornament the signature sparkle which makes Murano glass so spectacular.

Safety is crucial when working with open flames and hot glass, and so training and precautions are essential. You will use safety equipment such as safety glasses, gloves and clothing. Ventilation systems are in use and supervision throughout.

Step into the spectacular world of lampworking and book your place on our glassmaking retreat!