Collecting Murano Glass - A Short Guide For Beginners

By Author: Groshan Fabiola
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Thanks to its versatility, unequalled features, rich meaning and the long fascinating history behind it, Murano glass has a lot to offer to any collector. Whether you have a thing for Murano glass heart figurines, traditional replicas of antique drinking glasses, art deco items, jewelry or simple household items, genuine Murano glassware offers plenty of room for expression and makes a fantastic collection in every single case.

Where to Start Building Your Collection

The simplest and most convenient way to learn about Murano glass and to start setting up your collection is through the internet. That said, spend some time online researching about the pieces and styles of Murano glass you consider most appealing, and once you decide upon a particular class of articles (i.e. Murano glass heart figurines, paperweights or statuettes), start looking for such items via online stores.

Since Murano glassware these days encompasses a very broad spectrum of items, try to keep your research as thorough as possible. After a while you should be able to determine which designs and techniques of glassmaking work best ...
... for you and channel your collection in that particular direction.

Buying Murano Glass

The more knowledgeable you are about Murano glass items, the lesser the risk of becoming the victim of glassware counterfeiting. Unfortunately, many retailers sell mass produced, cheap quality Murano glassware imitations, usually of Asian or South American provenience. Things are rarely what they seem on the internet, and since it can be very difficult to ascertain the authenticity of a product by simply looking at a picture, in most cases you are at the mercy of the online store whose services you are using.
To minimize the risk of being hooked up with counterfeit Murano glass jewelry or other items instead of the real deal, a good idea would be to identify and stick by reputable vendors with good market credibility and a long history in the business, irrespective of whether they conduct their activity online or offline.

Buying Pre-Owned Murano Glass

To ensure that your Murano glassware collection is genuine, it is strongly advisable to make your purchases from reputable retailers or galleries, and request a certificate of authenticity containing the date of manufacturing and the original signature of the artist. Although this may involve spending more on your favorite items, buying from galleries and museums or, why not, directly from the source always makes for a safer transaction.

While most people purchase Murano glass for its aesthetic appeal and value, some collectors do so for its historical and artistic significance as well. Historic Murano glass collectibles can stem from different ages of Venetian glassmaking, are typically more difficult to find and consequently much more expensive. However, if you can afford the luxury of a sizeable investment in your collection, then don't hesitate to look into the vintage scene of Murano glassware as well, which encapsulates a centuries-old heritage of Murano glassmaking.

Overall, collecting Murano glass articles can be a very rewarding, stimulating and exciting hobby. And much like the techniques and traditions of Murano master glassmakers, it too can be passed on from generation to generation and used to set an example for how to treasure and promote the world's true artistic values.

For more resources about Murano glass or about Murano glass heart or even about Murano glass jewelry, please review these links.