Murano glass blowing started as luxury but is now considered high art. Murano glass blowing was invented in the 13th century. The Venetian government decided to shift the glassmaking industry to Murano, due to extensive fire hazards.
Silica, soda ash, and lime are melted together in a high-temperature furnace to form a glass. It is then blown through a blowpipe and moulded using diverse hand tools. There are numerous techniques involved, ‘murrine’ and ‘filigree’ being the two most common.
In the ‘murrine’ technique, layers of different colored molten glass are stretched into gigantic rods, which are later cut into cross-sections, exposing the beautiful intricate pattern.
In the ‘filigree’ technique, thin glass threads are twisted to form a pattern. However, it is harder in comparison to the ‘filigree’ pattern.
Murano glass blowing faces competition from mass-produced glassware, making it even harder to find and train the newer generations. Many institutions in Murano offer workshops, apprenticeships, and educational programs to preserve and promote the cultural heritage.