The Arte Nuova glass factory was founded on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy, in 1954. There is precious little information available about this company, even the factory name is uncertain, but it is possible different names were used at different times. There are three known factory labels. One uses the name “Pustetto & Zanetti Murano”, another uses “Arte Nuova Murano” and the third has both names. Different sources give the closing date as 1965 or 1968. During this time, Arte Nuova become known for their high quality work using the sommerso technique, winning prizes at the 1958 world fair in Brussels. According to online sources, glassmakers and designers involved with the factory include Itamo Pustetto, Licio Zanetti, Mario Fuga, Aldo Fuga, Nino D’Este, and Alessandro Lenarda.

Aureliano Toso founded the company Decorativi Rag Aureliano Toso in 1938. The renowned painter Dino Martens began designing for the company in 1939. His designed are famous for the use of patches of Aventurine, filigree canes, Latticino/Zanfirico, and multicoloured murrine. The most well known designs are probably Dino Martens Oriente range.

Arte Vetraria Muranese, or AVEM (A.Ve.M.) for short, was founded in 1932, by several glassblowers – Antonio Luigi Ferro, his son Egidio Ferro, Emilio Nason, and Galliano Ferro. Giulio Radi was technical director. Some early designs were created by the renowned painter Vittori Zecchin.

AVEM are probably best know today for their very popular and long running Bizantino series, known more commonly by collectors as “tutti-frutti”, a range of ashtrays, bowls and vases that was introduced in 1953 by an unknown designer. The Bizantino range is often wrongly attributed to designer Dino Martens, who never actually worked for AVEM, due to a mistake in a popular book on Murano glass.

Alfredo Barbini began learning the art of glass making in 1912, aged ten, at Abate Zanetti, the design school attached to the Murano Glass museum. He then went on to work for Ferro Toso, Cristalleria Murano, Zecchin-Martinuzzi, Seguso Vetri’dArte and Vetri Artistici Muranesi Societa Anonima. In 1946 he became a partner at Cenedese, and then began Barbini Glassworks in 1950. Some financial assistance for setting up the factory was provided by Salviati. In exchange, Barbini supplied Salviati with some of the glassware they produced. This explains why some known Barbini designs can be found with Salviati labels. Barbini has become renowned for his heavy, thick sculptural forms which have won him many awards. In 1952 Alfredo’s daugher Oceania Barbini-Moretti joined the glassworks and became the company’s sales manager. His son Flavio became a designer for the firm in 1968.

Barovier & Toso was formed in 1936 with the merge of two glasshouses – Vetreria Artistica Barovier, and Ferro Toso. the company was first known as Ferro Toso Vetrerie Artistiche Riunite S.A. up until 1942, and then Barovier & Toso. Chief designer Ercole Barovier created many well known designs, including Crepuscolo, Brillantati, Zebrati, Acanto, and of course the popular ribbed design Cordonato d’Oro, usually made in red glass with gold leaf inclusions. The company still exists today.

Bucella Cristalli is a retailer on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy, that also had or has a grinding and polishing facility, which was supplied by “rough” pieces from other Murano furnaces. There is conflicting information on whether or not they at one time also had their own furnace. One reliable source says they did, another says they did not. The company is owned by Renzo Bucella. He had a partner in the business named Giovanni Battista Fort, until they went separate ways at around 1982-84. We are not sure what year the company was founded. When the Consorzio Venezia Vetro was established as a method of guaranteeing and promoting authentic Murano glass, Bucella Cristalli was assigned the Vetri Murano (VM) number code “019”.

Known suppliers: Murano factories that are known to have supplied / been sold by Bucella Cristalli include – Oball, De Biasi, and Studio Cimaro.

Carlo Moretti founded his own company in 1958, and was later joined by Giovanni Moretti, his brother. Carlo Moretti produced colourful designs in a marbled pattern, as well as a range of vases and bowls with a matt finish known as Satinato. The same range can also be found in a glossy finish. Later they began production of drink ware glasses, along with more decorative vases. the company is still active today.

In 1946, Gino Cenedese formed the company Cenedese & Co. In 1947 he was joined by Alfredo Barbini as a partner, who was also artistic director and master glassblower. After Barbini left in 1950 to start his own company, Cenedese began using freelance designers, which included Fulvio Bianconi, Riccardo Licata, and Napoleone Martinuzzi. Antonio Da Ros became artistic director in 1959. He frequently designed pieces using the Sommerso technique, often with ‘Uranium’ green glass that glows brightly in ultra violet light. Cenedese are probably best known for their range of Aquarium sculptures – large clear blocks of glass filled with suspended fish and seaweed. they were originally designed by Alfredo Barbini, and later continued by Riccardo Licata.

There is precious little information available about the Cristallo Venezia CCC glassworks. There are just a handful of labelled examples that can be found online. The gold and silver foil label reads “Cristallo Venezia”, with a rectangular banner across the bottom that reads “C C C”. An identical label has also been found that reads “Artistica Murano, C C C”, indicating a factory name change to or from Artistica Murano CCC at some point. Of the few online labelled examples, production seems to be mainly sculptural bowls made in the sommerso technique. Common characteristics include a distinctive star shaped base, hot worked curled and cut out “maple leaf” shaped rim, and colours that fade from dark to pale or clear.

The Ferro Eugenio & Co glass factory was founded on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy, on 18th August 1929, by Eugenio Ferro in partnership with Giovanni Lazzarini. After Eugenio died in 1947, the factory was managed by his young heirs. During this time, Giovanni Lazzarini became more involved, and the company name was changed to Ferro & Lazzarini SRL. Since 2001, the factory is run by Dario Ferro, a direct descendant of Eugenio Ferro. Master glassblowers at Ferro & Lazzarini include Francesco Ragazzi, Marino Santi and Amedeo Rossetto.

The small amount of information I have been able to find online about Ferro Italarts (founded by Giulio and Luciano Ferro after leaving AVEM), has turned out to be incorrect, as according to the AVEM book, Luciano died in 1972 while still working at AVEM, and Giulio left AVEM in 1976 to form L’Anfora. I haven’t been able to find out any more information about this company, but it seems likely they may have been a shop / retailer rather than a factory. Some of the glassware found with Ferro Italarts labels closely resemble work by the Galliano Ferro factory.

Fratelli Toso was created in 1854 by six brothers – Angelo Toso, Giovanni Toso, Ferdinando Toso, Carlo Toso, Gregorio Toso and Liberato Toso. They were joined by Ermanno Toso in 1924 who became artistic director. The Fratelli Toso company is well known for its use of colourful murrine and millefiori during the 1950’s and earlier.

Galliano Ferro formed his own glass factory in 1955 after leaving Arte Vetraria Muranese, or AVEM (A.Ve.M.), which he co-founded in 1932. Designers at Galliano Ferro include his son Giorgio Ferro, Ezio Rizzetto, Fulvio Bianconi and Vinicio Vianello. Giorgio Ferro became head of the company in 1972. British importers Jaffe Rose are known to have imported some of their work, applying their own “Jaffe Rose, Murano Glass” import labels.

It is unclear for now if L Nason was a glass factory, brand, or retailer/shop. There was a factory named Lino Nason in existence during the 1930’s – 40’s, but much of the glass found with these labels seems to have been made later, and I couldn’t find any information about when the factory closed. It is also mentioned online that the name/brand Lino Nason was used by Ermanno Nason, in collaboration with artist Lino Perone, during the 1970’s / 80’s [link]. However, based on the type of glass that has been found with this label, some including myself now believe that L Nason was most likely a retailer, that sold glass made by several Murano factories. By gatherning as many labelled examples as we can find here, it is hoped that we can solve this mystery. If anyone has a piece of Murano glass that bares this L Nason label

Mandruzzato™ was founded in 1934 on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy, by Benjamin Mandruzzato. After Benjamin died in 1954, the factory was run by his son Luigi Mandruzzato. In 1965 Luigi was joined by his son, Gianfranco Mandruzzato, who took over the running of the company two years later. At first the company made glass lighting fixtures, and then began producing ornaments, vases, ashtrays, and other art glass. Mandruzzato is probably best known for their geometric shaped vases and bowls, inspired by earlier work by Luigi and Gianfranco in collaboration with Pablo Picasso. The firm is now run by Gianfranco’s son Alessandro Mandruzzato and became fully trademarked in 2011.

Vetreria Artistica Oball was founded in 1978 on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy, by Luigi Onesto, who had previously worked at Gambaro & Poggi since the age of 15. Luigi was later joined at the Oball factory by his sons, Fabio Onesto and Michele Onesto. Oball are best known for their very impressive, multi layered sommerso vases, bottles and other objects. The Oball factory identification code for the “Vetro Artistico Murano” certification is 004.

Salviati & Co was founded in 1859 in Murano, Venice, Italy, by Dr Antonio Salviati, Enrico Podio, and Lorenzo Radi. In 1883 it was purchased by the Barovier family, but continued under the name Salviati & Co. After Antonio Salviati died in 1890, the company was run by Amalia Salviati Ivanich, and Salviati’s two children, Giulio Salviati and Silvio Salviati. Following Silvio’s death in 1920, the company was run by Maurizio Camerino and his two sons Mario Camerino and Renzo Camerino. Dino Martens designed for Salviati between 1932 – 1935. Other designers include Luciano Gaspari, Romano Chirivi, Renzo Camerino and Sergio Asti.

Seguso Vetri d’Arte, originally named Artistica Soffiera e Vetreria – Barovier Seguso & Ferro, was formed in 1933 by Antonio Seguso and his sons Archimede and Ernesto, Luigi “Olimpio” Ferro, and Napoleone Barovier. Archimede Seguso was the master glassblower. Alberto Seguso, an accountant, joined as a partner in 1934. Flavio Poli also joined in 1934, as artistic director, and became a partner in the company when Luigi Ferro left in 1937. At this time, the name was changed to Seguso Vetri d’Arte s.n.c In 1939, the factory merged with Ing. Francesco Zecchin – Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, a company they had previously collaborated with, and Francesco Zecchin became a partner of SVA. Francesco left in 1940, when he was called to serve in the war, and Alberto Seguso left in the same year. Archimede Seguso left in 1942 due to ill health. Three new master glassblowers joined as partners in 1945: Francesco Martinuzzi, Guido Seguso and Giusto Nichetto. In 1946, as production increased, three more glassblowers joined as partners: Plinio Pustetto, Umberto D’Este and Angelo Seguso. Due to increasing taxes for limited partnerships, in 1949 the company was liquidated, and at this time Francesco Martinuzzi and Guido Seguso left to found Seguso dalla Venezia. The remaining partners then founded a new company, Seguso Vetri s.r.l, changing to Seguso s.r.l in the same year. Napoleone Barovier retired in 1950. This was the year Flavio Poli began to experiment with the sommerso technique, for which he became most famous. Mario Pinzoni joined the factory in 1953, as assistant to Flavio Poli. Plinio Pustetto left in 1958 due to health problems. In 1959 the factory name was changed to Seguso Vetri d’Arte s.a.s di Ernesto Seguso, Flavio Poli & C.i. Flavio Poli and Ernesto Seguso both left the company in 1963, and Angelo’s sister Angela Seguso joined as a partner. At this time the name was changed to Seguso Vetri d’Arte s.a.s di Bruno e Angelo Seguso & C.i, and Mario Pinzoni replaced Flavio Poli as artistic director. Angela Seguso left in 1967, and Bruno Seguso in 1969. The name was then changed to Seguso Vetri d’Arte s.a.s di Angelo Seguso & C. Mario Pinzoni left in 1971, and was replaced by Vittorio Righattieri. Production ceased in 1973 and the company was put into liquidation. Ownership of the brand name changed several times over the next few decades, until being returned to the Seguso family. Giampaolo Seguso, son of Archimede Seguso, founded Seguso Viro in 1993, with his sons Gianluca, Pierpaolo and GianAndrea. In 2009, they aquired the brand name Seguso Vetri d’Arte from the owner at that time, Amelio Cenedese.

Vincenzo Nason established his glassworks, Vincenzo Nason & Cie (VNC) on the island of Murano, Venice, Italy in 1967, after having previously worked at Venini. At some point they traded under the name Veritable Opaline de Murano, before the name was finally changed to V. Nason & C. in 1989. The company is believed to have closed sometime around 2001. V Nason & C are probably best known for their ‘Avventurina’ range, black glass filled with copper aventurine inclusions. They also produced many sculptures of animals and birds, as well as opaline glass which often bore labels reading ‘Veritable Opaline de Murano’ or ‘Veritable Opaline de Venise’, both labels included a red wax seal style ‘N’ for Nason.

The Venini glass works was started in 1921 by Paolo Venini, Giacomo Cappellin, and Andrea Rioda. The company was named Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Venini Cappellin & C in 1924, and the painter Vittorio Zecchin became artistic director. Cappellin left in 1925 to create his own company, and Venini created a new company called Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Venini & C, with Napoleone Martinuzzi as artistic director until he left in 1932. Designer Carlo Scarpa joined in 1932, and became artistic director in 1933. Other designers who worked for Venini include Fulvio Bianconi, Riccardo Licata, and Tobia Scarpa.

The glassware shown in this section is often found with foil labels which read “Hand Made Genuine Venetian Glass, Made in Murano Italy, Vetro Artistico Veneziano”. There is not currently much information available on Vetro Artistico Veneziano. They appear to have been a retailer or exporter / distributor.

Faceted “block” vases and bowls similar to the ones shown below have been popular since the 1950’s, and production has continued right up to today. There have been many factories in the Murano region which have made glassware in this style, and as such it is difficult to be certain of the manufacturer without labels or signatures present. Companies that have produced glassware in this faceted style include Mandruzzato, Campanella, V. Nason, Formia, Bucella Cristalli (retailer, & grinder / polisher of supplied “rough” pieces), Moleria 83, Pagnin & Bon, Tiozzo & Ferro, Gianni Seguso, Oball, and Cesare Toso (probably a retailer). Several different labels found on this style of glass include the words “Vetri Molati”, which is Italian for “ground glass”, a reference to the grinding process used to create this style. The vast majority of these faceted Murano glass items contain two or more suspended coloured layers of glass in a third layer of clear glass, using the very popular sommerso technique.

Important note: As with most sommerso glassware, it is very common to find these wrongly attributed to Flavio Poli, a designer who became famous for his sommerso designs. However, Flavio Poli worked for the Seguso Vetri d’Arte factory, whose designs are very well documented, and there are no records at all of them ever producing these faceted sommerso items. Sadly this does not stop inexperienced sellers from copying the incorrect Flavio Poli attribution.

Murano glass Geode bowls earn the name “geodes” due to their resemblance to geode rocks – rocks or stones that have been sliced neatly in two. The geode bowls therefore have a perfectly flat, wide rim. Murano glass geodes consist of two or more layers of cased glass. They were made my several Italian glass manufacturers from the Venetian island of Murano, and as such it is virtually impossible to identify the maker of an unmarked bowl. Popular geode shapes include circular, square, triangular, figure eight, and kidney shaped among others.

The sommerso technique was originally developed in the 1930’s by Carlo Scarpa at Venini & Co. Sommerso (Italian for “submerged”) is the Murano glassmaking technique of creating two or more layers of contrasting glass without the colours mixing together. It is formed by dipping coloured glass into molten glass of a different colour, before blowing the glass into the required form. The outermist layer is often clear. During the 1950’s the sommerso style became world famous due to the work of Flavio Poli, artistic director of Seguso Vetri d’Arte. There have since been many other factories in the Murano region which have made pieces in this style, and as such it is difficult to be certain of the manufacturer without labels or signatures present. Other well known manufacturers that have produced glassware in the sommerso style include Mandruzzato, Galliano Ferro, Formia, Oball, and Arte Nuova.

Zanfirico is a technique invented by glass makers on the Venetian island of Murano, Italy. Zanfirico glass consists of fine filigree canes which have been stretched and twisted to form beautiful lattice patterns. The name Zanfirico derives from the surname of a 19th century Italian art dealer, Antonio Sanquirico, however the Zanfirico technique has been used as far back as the 16th century, when it was originally known as ‘Filigrana a Retortoli’. Many Murano glass manufacturers use Zanfirico canes in their glassware production, including Venini, Aureliano Toso, Fratelli Toso, and AVeM.