A Short History of Lampwork & Murano Glass

The craft you can try today has roots that reach back more than seven centuries, to the glass island of Murano near Venice.

In 1291 Venice moved its glass furnaces to the island of Murano to reduce the risk of fire in the city. There, glassmakers perfected brilliant colours and techniques they guarded as secrets for generations. Murano glass became famous across Europe.

Bead-making at a lamp — «lampwork» — let artists shape glass on a small scale, without a large furnace. Venetian glass beads travelled the world as objects of trade and beauty.

Today the same Italian glass (Effetre/Moretti) is worked with a modern oxygen-propane torch. The tools have changed; the wonder of watching glass glow and move has not.

Try it yourself

The best way to understand it is to make something with your own hands. Join our glass bead making workshop in Moscow — beginners welcome, all materials included. Questions? Email info@glassbaker.art, WhatsApp or Telegram.