In the February 2009 issue of STYLE AT HOME — subscribers already have this in their hot little hands! — I’ve featured the gorgeous Murano glass designs of Steve Jensen in our Home & Style column. I had the opportunity to meet Steve himself at the gorgeous Joan Eiley showroom a few months back, and found his passion for the thousand-year-old art of Murano glassmaking absolutely contagious. It truly is one of those situations in which the story behind a product is as beautiful as the design itself!Â
DID YOU KNOW…
* In the 13th century, glass production moved to the island of Murano to protect Venice from glass furnace fires, and to safeguard the secrets of the Murano ‘maestros’.
* Trainees in the technique of Murano had to live on the island for the rest of their lives, allowing them to hone their skills.
* Gas bills for Murano glassmaking furnaces are now upwards of $300,000 a month — hence the hefty price tag.
* During the Austrian occupation of Venice in the 19th century, Murano glass production came crashing to a halt, so as not to compete with the Austrians’ own Bohemian glass empire.Â
* Aventurine is a form of Murano glass spun with gold.
Fascinating stuff!
Photography by Tracy Cox
Orchidea 22-inch candlesticks in Carnelian, 32-inch Marco Polo lamp in Gold with parchment shade
Price: Collection starts from $1,020
Available at: Joan Eiley, Toronto, 416-968-0778
Newsletter
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube
RSS