We used the summer break to travel. Yes, with a backpack on our shoulders, we decided to discover the ancient traditions of glass in its symbol city: Murano.
Murano is an island inserted in maritime Venice, which has found its independence and autonomy since the time of Napoleon. This is where the ultra-centennial history of blown glass unfolds.
In addition to visiting the streets of the island, we visited a historic furnace, created by two great men with a passion for glass: Eugenio Ferro e Giovanni Lazzarini.
In this space, created in 1929, the ancient tools of grandparents and fathers are still used, who worked the glass with dedication and art.
But the origins of glass, in Murano, are much more remote: the intriguing history of Murano glass begins in 1291, when it was decided to move the glass factories from Venice to Murano. Over the years, Murano glass has experienced crises, adaptations to different eras and notable periods of splendor.
Glass is nothing but silica, a powder that transforms into a liquid at high temperatures. It is in the transition from liquid to solid state that glass becomes malleable and moldable, thus allowing the glassmaker to create unique works.
Over time, the experience gained has allowed the glass masters to adopt different glass processes, then dividing the process into two phases: the first includes those procedures that use the raw material, such as sand, soda and other compounds, which are then melted in specialized ovens. In the second process, cold processes are processed, such as decoration, engraving and grinding.
Inside the Ferro e Lazzarini furnace we were lucky enough to witness the production of real works of art. It is amazing how grains of sand manage to shape a prancing glass horse.
The teachings of the glass masters have allowed the glass artisans of Lux Illuminazione to design chandeliers rich in history and style, which have been able to adapt to different world eras: from the Made in Italy style and essential, to the Russian style, where wealth and extravagance predominate.
It is thanks to the glass masters and the centuries-old tradition of Murano glass that the art of Lux Illuminazione took shape, expanding in Italy and around the world.