Murano Glassware, Venice

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If you are looking for a typical souvenir of Venice, the glassware products of Murano might be an option.

Murano is an island in the lagoon of Venice which is famous all over the world for artistic glassware products of any size from small glass sweets and drinking glasses to 18th century-style chandeliers. The products are on sale in many little shops in Murano, but can be also found in shops all over Venice.

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Murano glass treasures are amazing! Also, over priced! Buyer beware! For example, I found a little, contorted glass bowl with an opalescent hue that I really wanted. One store had it for €45. I thought it was too expensive and proceeded to go back to another store that had a similar bowl I liked and found they wanted €78. Well, this was no bigger than a small candy dish or dip bowl so for that much money I passed on buying it. To my good fortune, a couple months later, I found the same bowl (from Murano) in a Crate & Barrel store here in the states. I bought it for US$18 or €11 and bought a gigantic bowl for US$36 or €23! I was estatic will my find!

But, I did purchase a beautiful beaded necklace with round Murano beads and polished stones for $78 which I know I would not be able to find back at home. So, use your judgment wisely in making purchases of Murano glass.

This artist specializes in small animals, especially insects. The detail is awesome. You have to see it to believe it. Butterflies, beetles, birds, etc.

What to buy: Prices aren't cheap, but the craftmanship warrants the prices!

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There are plenty of places to buy Murano glass in Venice, ranging all the way from regular fancy stores to the Venetian equivalent of a shopping mall. We only bought glass at the factory, so I cannot speak to any of the items available at the stores.

A useless beautiful piece of glass....It's transparent on the inside and is such a pretty thing to look at :))) Had to have it...It looks great among the stones in my aquarium and the fish seem to like it too.
In Morocco ,they have those Mauritanian beads that have the same pattern and are quite expensive but very beautiful. > Kiffa beads or better Millefiori Beads.jpg

What to buy: House-ware; chandeliers, lamps, tapestries, mirrors, decanters,goblets, wine glasse and liquer glasses.
Accessories; figurines and Christmas ornaments
Jewelry; Murano Glass bead jewelry
Masks; traditional Venetian designs.
Fine Lace

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It wouldn't be Venice without the famous murano glass. Zanetti have been making beautiful and colorful vases, jars, glasses, candleholders and much more. What to shop exactly must be a difficult decision, since there is a wide choice of different objects.
All the items are produced in the Murano furnace of the Gallery, they are all signed by the artist and come with a certificate of authenticity.

What to buy: A fantastic Murano glass vase, I think this would make a great heirloom piece, one that could be passed down from generazione to generazione. It's almost prettier than the flowers it holds, perfect for long-stemmed roses.

What to pay: A glass vase is expensive, all items are completely hand made, price begins at US 200

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Murano is only a short vaporetto ride away from St. Marks Square. Why not go directly to the source of hand blown glass. Many styles and designs for objec d'arts. There are many glass shops almost side by side. You can even watch professional artists busy at their craft of glass blowing. It is a study in concentration and skill of the hands.

What to buy: My favorite piece of blown glass is the Vase. Many colors to choose from and so many different designs. My wife adores the Murano glass necklaces and seems to purchase one every time we have been to Murano.

What to pay: Well, a hand blown glass marble can be as little as 1E or as much as 2000E up for a work of art glass necklace.