Murano, Italy is the longest lasting center in the history of glass making. It has a very impressive history. Murano is producing glassware from 9th century. There were many success and failure stories that came in Murano’s way, but it still producing very beautiful, attractive and creative artwork. Murano is situated at northwest side of Venice. It is a major trading port.

A trade association was formed in 1260 because of fast growth of glassblowing. It was done to make guidelines on how to operate glass shops and the disciplines and duties of glassblowing master known as Capitoloare Guild. More than 500 years, it was updated for quality control, agreements of raw material and protection from competitors.

Later glass blowing was moved to Murano from Venice because of risk of fire to the city built of wood. Glass blowing masters allowed the government to manage this industry. Glassblowers could not leave the country and practice in other countries. Such harsh control measures and high level of competition resulted in production of a very higher quality of glass. Glass Making techniques and ideas spread through out the Murano very fast. Venetian glass became so famous that some glassblowers began to move to European countries.

In 1797, Napoleon’s army took control on the glassblowing occupation of Venetian. 1805 was the end of the Guild and it was also the end of glass blowing occupation. Remaining Glassblowing shop produced only beads, small bottles and other ornaments which were required for trade.

Glassblowing techniques began to reintroduce in the late 1800s. Antonio Salviati won numerous awards in the year 1867 for his beautiful glass work in Paris. This was the time when rediscovery and utilization of glassblowing techniques begun. Murano glass industry started again in late 1800s. Glass artist like Paolo Venini, Napoleone Martinuzzi, Giacomo Cappellin, Carlo Scarpa and Ercole Barovier gave their best and beautiful glass arts to the Murano glass Industry. 1950s were the most creative and innovative years for Murano glass Industry. They produced some of the best glass work in 1950s.

Venetian glassblowing has been copied since the martin glasses 1990s and it is a very big challenge to them. Many of their glass work like vases, glassware objects are being copied in Asia for sale in overseas. To solve this problem, the Venetian glassmakers registered a Murano trademark that appears on their glass products. This trademark is difficult to counterfeit.

With such impressive and longest glass making history, Murano has succeeded in making some of the best glass art pieces and mark its name in the world history of glass artwork.