Murano glass

April 2006

Home to the makers of the worlds first mirror. Glass blowing techniques dated thousands of years back are still in use today. There was a time when these elite group of craftsmen were the leading citizens on the island - right to wear swords, immunity from prosecution by the notriously high handed Venetian state. and by the late 14th century, the daughters of glassmakers were allowed to marry into Venice's blue blooded families. There was one catch though, glassmakers were not allowed to leave the Republic - or risk being assasinated. Your living room is not complete without a Murano glass piece.