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Italian Glass

The glass-making tradition in Italy is one of the most prestigious and predominant in history. Italian glass is synonymous with refined quality combined with rich color and cutting edge style, elements which began in the workshops of Venice.

Producing glass since the 8th century A.D., Venetian glassmakers rapidly rose to acclaim for their brilliant designs. The tradition itself absorbed from influences around the Mediterranean, Venetian glassmakers channel lush colors into their luminescent pieces, refining the art of glassblowing to yield remarkably transparent, almost ethereal, pieces. They also revived ancient Roman styles, such as the popular "Millefiori" pattern, as an homage to history but also as a means of continued innovation.

By the 16th and 17th centuries, Venetian glass had captivated the European continent, with their elaborate designs in high demand. This popularity continues to the present, a testament to which is the fact that tourists to Venice still stream through the glassmaking factories on the island of Murano, some of which have been in existence for generations.


Quick Facts

  • The concept of blown glass, a crucial development for Venetian glassmakers, was first developed by ancient Romans around the 1st century B.C. who used a blow pipe to shape their forms
  • The island of Murano became the hub of Venetian glass production in the late 13th century when city officials, fearing fires in the heart of Venice, forced the factories to the more isolated location
  • "Millefiore," which translates from Italian as "a thousand flowers," was given to the floral design in the mid-19th century; prior to that point, it was known simply as "Murrine"

Recommended Items at Auction

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Pair of Glass Pieces Including Signed “Murano” Vase
Jun 26, 6:00 PM EDT
Pair of Glass Pieces Including Signed “Murano” Vase
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$2711 Bids
A Murano Glass Handkerchief Vase and a Float Bowl
Jun 22, 11:00 AM AEST
A Murano Glass Handkerchief Vase and a Float Bowl
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD706 Bids
A Large Murano Art Glass Vase
Jun 25, 6:00 PM AEST
A Large Murano Art Glass Vase
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD60- AUD120
AUD706 Bids
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PINK AND ALABASTER COLOURED ART GLASS LAYERED BOWL ATTRIBUTED TO MURANO AND A RETRO MID CENTURY PINK ART GLASS VASE
Jun 26, 9:00 AM AEST
PINK AND ALABASTER COLOURED ART GLASS LAYERED BOWL ATTRIBUTED TO MURANO AND A RETRO MID CENTURY PINK ART GLASS VASE
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD304 Bids
Barbini, Alfredo (1912 Murano 2007)
Jun 25, 3:00 PM CEST
Barbini, Alfredo (1912 Murano 2007)
by Dannenberg
Est: €500- €600
€5003 Bids
FLAVIO POLI FOR MURANO; a Sommerso glass decanter and stopper of shouldered form, height 50cm.
Jul 02, 10:00 AM BST
FLAVIO POLI FOR MURANO; a Sommerso glass decanter and stopper of shouldered form, height 50cm.
by Adam Partridge Auctioneers
Est: £100- £150
£2203 Bids
(16) Art Glass & Murano Paperweights & Sculptures
Jun 21, 10:00 AM MST
(16) Art Glass & Murano Paperweights & Sculptures
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$303 Bids
Enrico Cammozo Murano Art Glass Vase
Jun 26, 11:00 AM EDT
Enrico Cammozo Murano Art Glass Vase
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $100- $200
$502 Bids
Lot of 9 Mid-Century Modern Glass Ashtrays, Murano & Higgins
Jun 21, 12:00 PM EDT
Lot of 9 Mid-Century Modern Glass Ashtrays, Murano & Higgins
by Public Sale Auction House
Est: $200- $400
$1002 Bids
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MURANO ART GLASS PAPERWEIGHT WITH ORIGINAL STICKER TO BASE AND UNUSUAL V.M.I ETCHED TO BASE
Jun 26, 9:00 AM AEST
MURANO ART GLASS PAPERWEIGHT WITH ORIGINAL STICKER TO BASE AND UNUSUAL V.M.I ETCHED TO BASE
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD152 Bids
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MURANO ART GLASS GREEN DISH ATTRIBUTED TO ARCHIMEDES SEGUSO
Jun 26, 9:00 AM AEST
MURANO ART GLASS GREEN DISH ATTRIBUTED TO ARCHIMEDES SEGUSO
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD302 Bids
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ATTRIBUTED CENEDESE MURANO ART GLASS BOWL
Jun 26, 9:00 AM AEST
ATTRIBUTED CENEDESE MURANO ART GLASS BOWL
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD152 Bids
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MURANO ART GLASS ROOSTER FIGURE WITH ORIGINAL STICKER
Jun 26, 9:00 AM AEST
MURANO ART GLASS ROOSTER FIGURE WITH ORIGINAL STICKER
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD152 Bids
Pino Signoretti 1944-2017 Murano Glass Fish Tank
Jul 02, 12:00 PM EDT
Pino Signoretti 1944-2017 Murano Glass Fish Tank
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$1252 Bids
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MURANO ART GLASS BIRD ON BOWL DISH ATTRIBUTED FROM THE OBALL FURNACE
Jun 26, 9:00 AM AEST
MURANO ART GLASS BIRD ON BOWL DISH ATTRIBUTED FROM THE OBALL FURNACE
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD152 Bids
Venetian Murano Italian Art Glass
Jul 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Venetian Murano Italian Art Glass
by Premier Auction Galleries
Est: $10- $1,000
$101 Bid
MCM Iridescent Blue Murano Glass Vase Centrepiece
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
MCM Iridescent Blue Murano Glass Vase Centrepiece
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $50- $50,000
$501 Bid
Venetian Murano Art Glass Dancing Woman Figure
Jul 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Venetian Murano Art Glass Dancing Woman Figure
by Premier Auction Galleries
Est: $10- $1,000
$101 Bid
A Murano Salviati Glass Bowl And Dish
Jun 25, 6:00 PM AEST
A Murano Salviati Glass Bowl And Dish
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD60- AUD120
AUD301 Bid
Italian Murano Art Glass Bird Sculptures 3pc LOT
Jul 02, 12:00 PM EDT
Italian Murano Art Glass Bird Sculptures 3pc LOT
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
MARCELLO FANTONI, VASE, C. 1980
Jul 02, 3:00 PM CEST
MARCELLO FANTONI, VASE, C. 1980
by Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen GmbH
Est: €600- €700
€5001 Bid
A Venetian Murano glass model of a bird together w…
Jun 29, 9:00 AM BST
A Venetian Murano glass model of a bird together w…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £20- £40
£101 Bid
Salt Cellar Assortment
Jun 24, 10:00 AM CDT
Salt Cellar Assortment
by Leonard Auction
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
ITALIAN ART GLASS PAPERWEIGHTS
Jul 18, 10:00 AM EDT
ITALIAN ART GLASS PAPERWEIGHTS
by Vintage Accents Auctions
Est: $150- $250
$201 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Italian Glass


Benedetto Trionfante Auction House s.r.l

Benedetto Trionfante Auction House s.r.l

Il Ponte Auction House

Il Ponte Auction House

Subastas Segre

Subastas Segre