Murano art | The advent of the Venetian mirrors and glassware
Venetian Art
Venetian Mirror was born in the 15th century on the small island of Murano in Venice, Italy. This mirror was difficult to produce and the manufacturing process was very complicated. After the production process, these mirrors were considered masterpieces, and Murano art became universal. The beauty of Venetian mirrors went beyond what was expected as a mirror.
For more than 1000 years, Italian Murano art makers have been making glassworks with the best quality and beauty. Today, Venetian glass is still made using methods developed by ancient craftsmen. The origins of Venetian glassmaking date back to the time of the Roman Empire. During that time, the quality and beauty of Venetian glassware became famous throughout the empire and beyond.
Glassworks made in Murano are decorative mirrors, goblets, vases, sculptures, jewelry, lamps, light bulbs, wall lamps, and more - considered by many to be among the best in the world.
Murano art in the shape of glass
Even at the beginning of the 16th century, Murano mirrors were still in short supply, and most were custom-made for the royal family and nobles who were eager to collect Venetian mirrors. As the demand for these mirrors increased, it became possible to buy alternatives or "Venetian-style mirrors" from vendors specializing in the sale of valuables.
Authentic Venetian mirrors were made of precious frames with curved glass edges that were cleverly fastened with metal bolts. Despite the unique beauty of these mirrors, it was very difficult to buy them.
Murano mirrors are the purest mirrors in the world and have raised expectations from other mirror manufacturers. Actually, the Venetian mirror have ruled industry; the popularity of these mirrors eliminated all competing designs abroad. The quality of Venetian mirrors and the proportions of their components, combined with hundreds of years of experience by Venetian artists, made the island of Murano a powerful competitor in the mirror industry.
Why Murano art became universal?
One of the reasons Venetian mirrors and Murano art, in general, looked so beautiful was because of their secret production by Murano glass artists. Venetian glassmakers perfected the mystical technique of golden dust: they added gold leaf to the glass before the freezing process and embedded it in the mirror glass. The golden leaf, which was forever protected in glass, added eternal color and shine to the Venetian mirror.
Lattimo is the secret
Another secret was the "Lattimo" process. Lattimo is the name for clear white or milky glass. This technique involves using lead to paint glass. Over time, Venetian mirror makers improved this process and acquired the skills to manipulate the various effects of glass.
The Lattimo process brought a new spirit to Murano art and mirrors. By skillfully manipulating the Golden Dust technique and the Lattimo technique together, details such as artistic borders, flowers and ribbons can be created.
Murano Island or Glass Island?!
In the 15th century, the Venetian island of Murano, also known as the "Glass island", became the center of the art of glassmaking and the birthplace of the legendary Venetian mirror. Skilled Venetian artists invented the revolutionary method of the "flat mirror technique": first, experts poured tin into glass cubes.
Once the tin had cooled, the artisans broke the tin into separate pieces and placed it on a flat glass surface using the method they had learned after swearing to secrecy! Then they created an amazing reflective mix and added gold and bronze. The "magic" mixture enhanced the quality of the Venetian mirror; the beautiful objects seen in reality provided absolutely dazzling reflections.
Murano art in the 16th and 17th centuries
In the late 16th century, the Queen of France decided to build a mirrored study room. 119 Venetian specialists were selected for the project and headed directly from the island of Murano to France. Perhaps as a token of appreciation for the Queen's precious order, the Venetian masters surprised her with a wonderful gift: a magnificent Venetian mirror with precious stones. This exotic Venetian mirror has been preserved until now and is preserved in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it can be visited today.
Murano art left Italy for France
In the eighteenth century, after hundreds of years of relentless and costly perseverance, several specialists were brought to France from Murano. Clever French students quickly learned the techniques of making Murano art (glass). They learned the method used by Venetian masters to complete their performing arts in the field of glass art.
After mastering this technique, they were able to develop their glass-making skills as well. French experts began making Venetian mirrors using casting techniques. Immediately after France developed this new technique, construction began on the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. The Hall of Mirrors is made up of 306 large Murano mirrors that are 220 feet or 73 meters long.
Murano art in modern times
Today, Venetian mirrors are still special and worthy. Today's market shows that there are a number of mirrors called "knockoffs" in the market. These are mirrors that do not have the true structure of Venetian mirrors. These mirrors are produced all over the world and are often sold as "Venetian-inspired mirrors" or "Venetian style mirrors".
However, the informed consumer knows that authentic Murano mirrors come only from the Venetian island of Murano in Italy. Although Venetian mirrors are still very expensive, they are often used as a cost-effective investment in works of art. In fact, when you see the subtle details in a Venetian mirror, it is impossible not to enjoy their beauty and charm.
Last but not Least
Murano craftsmen have developed a variety of glassworks that use a variety of techniques and minerals to achieve a unique beauty and quality that is rarely found elsewhere. The essence of Murano art is the use of small pieces of gold or other metals in the process of making glassworks that create shiny and shimmering glass.
