Murano isn't one workshop — it's a whole island with dozens of glassworks, large and small. When you buy vintage, the same seven names appear again and again. It's worth knowing them, both to judge a piece and to understand what you're actually looking at.
1. Vetri Murano
The name on most of our lamps. Vetri was a large, established workshop that in the 60s and 70s made many of the ceiling lamps and pendants we sell today. Classic swirl patterns, big mushroom table lamps, the peacock lamp. If you're looking for a safe introduction to vintage Murano lighting, a Vetri lamp is a great place to start.
2. Mazzega
The Mazzega workshop (founded by Angelo Vittorio Mazzega) made some of the most iconic mid-century lamps from Murano. Distinctive geometric shapes, often with thick clear glass over coloured glass. Mazzega lamps are rarer on the market than Vetri, and typically more expensive.
3. Seguso Vetri d'Arte
One of the oldest names. Seguso has been making glass on Murano since 1397 (yes, really). Their alabastro series — opalescent, milky-white glass — are classics. Seguso bowls and shells from the 60s and 70s are still among the most sought-after.
4. Venini
The most "designer" of the major workshops. Venini collaborated with architects and artists like Carlo Scarpa, Tapio Wirkkala and Fulvio Bianconi. Venini pieces are often signed and can fetch from £500 upwards at auction. If you find a signed Venini at a flea market for £20 — run.
5. Barovier & Toso
The Barovier family has made glass on Murano since 1295. The workshop is known for complex techniques like intarsia (inlaid patterned glass) and tessuto (textured glass). Barovier pieces are typically heavy, sculptural and expensive.
6. Vistosi
Vistosi specialised in lighting from the 60s onwards. Many Vistosi lamps are sculptural and almost architectural. If you see a mushroom lamp that feels a little more "designer furniture" than "flea-market find" — there's a good chance it's a Vistosi.
7. La Murrina
A younger workshop (founded 1969) that primarily made lighting and chandeliers through the 70s, 80s and 90s. La Murrina chandeliers — large, dramatic, often with leaves of coloured glass — are a regular fixture in Italian villas from the period.
What about unmarked pieces?
Many Murano pieces were never signed, or have lost their label. That doesn't mean they're worth less — there have been hundreds of smaller workshops on the island, and much of the most beautiful glass comes from them. What we sell without a maker's name we typically just call "vintage Murano" — and price accordingly.
