| Murano Italy, a small town north of Venice, | | | | and may then be shaped into balls and |
| has set the world standard for glasswork and | | | | teardrop shapes. In modern times the glass |
| beads, including Murano Rosary Beads, making | | | | created though the 1950s is considered one of |
| it the glass capital of the world,. Tracing | | | | the most sought after. In the late 20th |
| back to the 9th century, Murano glass and | | | | century, the problem of counterfeiting Murano |
| beads have a long history. The artwork, | | | | Glass entered the market. Asia was making |
| innovation and craftsmanship have grown in | | | | replicas of the glassware, vases and |
| tradition though the centuries. Murano was a | | | | millefiore, a process where buy an image is |
| large port, along with Venice allowing it to | | | | placed into the glass rod itself and then |
| use the glass as a trading state with its is | | | | becoming part of the blown bead, Prior to |
| Asian and African neighbors. One of the | | | | 1849, it was called mosaic. Millefiori in |
| earliest uses and stories was about how glass | | | | Murano beads always contain a very |
| was blown into the shape of bottles dating | | | | distinctive flower pattern. In response the |
| back as far as 1083 and elevated to the glass | | | | Promovetro, or glassmakers consortium, came |
| capital of the world in the 13th century. In | | | | up with a Murano trademark, a lilac sticker |
| the 1930s there was a distinctive shift in | | | | that displays a cana de soffio or glass |
| Murano Glass, lead by Ermanno Toso. He | | | | blowers pipe and the Italian words, Artistic |
| changed the focus of the items made to a more | | | | Glass Murano so that it is difficult to copy. |
| modern theme. Murano glass and the island | | | | This was registered with the European Union. |
| itself has withstood the test of two world | | | | In 2003 it was necessary for the city of |
| wars, and in the 40s was reinvigorated post | | | | Venice to once again make a new Trademark |
| World War II, making the 1950s one of the | | | | designed by the French artist, Mathieu |
| more artistically memorable sets of years. | | | | Thibautto. This allowed for Murano glass stay |
| Among the artist techniques employed, glass | | | | exclusive and making counterfeits lacking in |
| blowers used the technique called filigrana, | | | | the quality and history that Murano glass |
| where the glass blower takes the glass | | | | beads have come to represent. |
| blowing pipe and roll over the canes of glass | | | | |
| each a unique striping for the bead. Some | | | | Beth Guide is the webmaster for Faith-Full. |
| beads are straight striped, some are spiral | | | | |