How do you define and use the term Murano?

[Norwood]

I actually started this question in one of Markthenark's clown threads, but figuring it to be mis-placed and buried, thought it deserved it's own thread...

What is a Murano (or Venetian) clown?

Do they have to be made in Murano to be Murano?
If so, are clowns made outside Murano simply just a glass clown or possibly a "Murano style" clown?

If not, where does one draw the line as to pedigree?
Do we exclude those Chinese or Mexican or even the older Japanese clowns (or vases or sculptures or anything else for that matter) while accepting those made outside Murano by Murano ex-pats (like ICET or Franco Toffolo's Blackpool pieces)?

Personally, I feel that the piece has to be made in Murano to be called Murano, but that may be just me being hard-headed or narrow-minded.

So that leaves me wondering what other peoples opinions may be on the use of this term.

[tam bam]

My motto is if it is not Murano then it is not Muranese glass. Some glass maestros from Murano have been known to do work for other companies outside of Murano (such as Livio Seguso for Gral Glasshutte in Germany and many others. He was just the first person to pop in my head at this time. Also it can be the other way around. Several masters from other countries went or are in Murano to make glass. Good example of this is Yoichi Ohira.) Some Muranese glass maestros also left Murano and went to other countries to make glass. Another example of two people that pop in my head at the moment is Alessandro and Roberto Moretti. They left Murano and went to the U.S. and worked for Pilgrim Glass. Also I believe that is how ICET started and there are also some Seguso family members in Brazil making glass. We have found that out in the last year or so. Most Murano maestros who left Murano continued thier glass trade and it is hard to tell sometimes if it is true Murano or something made in another country with out a label) when it looks and feels like Murano glass.

Toffolo's Venetian Glass Company is indeed in England and therefore it is not Murano, but Toffolo is from Murano. Just because his label states "Venetian Glass Company" doesn't necessarily make it Murano because it is made in another country. It is made in the style of Venetian glass in my opinion but definitely not Murano. If you notice on his labels he doesn't say where the glass is made. That should raise a red flag right there. If it doesn't state "Made in Murano" then it is probably made somewhere else.

A lot of glass is made in Italy and some of these companies will try and fool you. They may have labels that state in Italian made in the style of murano glass. Usually they emphasize on the word "Murano" or "Arte Murano". But there is a key to not mistake them as murano because the labels only state "Made in Italy" and not "Made in Murano". Like this label. Don't mistake it as Murano because it is not. http://www.fossilfly.com/Forums/albu...&pictureid=188 and this label http://www.fossilfly.com/Forums/albu...5&pictureid=36

It's very complicated.

[tam bam]

I didn't know if you saw this or not, Norwood but Charlie posted a great article on ICET glass.

http://www.fossilfly.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=364

tam bam

[Norwood]

Hi Tam Bam,
I did see that info on ICET (thanks), which is one reason why I moved this question to it's own thread as well as why I used ICET as an example.

[fossilfly]

Hi. Its generally agreed that if the glass object is made on the island of Murano, it is considered "Made in Murano" , many companies and even former muranese maestro's who make similar glass elsewhere can only claim "Murano Style" or something similar.

During the 1700's this was also an issue, when similar style glass was made in France by expatriate Murano glass blowers. It was considered to be "in the Venetian Fashion", I dont have the exact French translation offhand.

[TxSilver]

This is a good question. For example, Pino Signoretto and Lino Tagliapietra often come to the United States to teach. Would the glass they make in the US qualify as Murano glass? The sands used may be very different -- I don't know this for sure, just assuming. I imagine that the governing board of Murano probably have guidelines for these different circumstances, but I do not know what the guidelines are.