Lot #43: Murano and Other Glass Jewelry

Famed for its exquisite chandeliers and decorative pieces, Murano glass is less known for its use in jewelry. The island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon has been the site of fine art glass-blowing since the 1200s, when Venice began to move glass-blowers there, to protect the city from the danger of fires posed by their workshops. The glass-blowers likewise sought the isolation in order to protect their trade secrets, as proprietary glass-blowing techniques were being leaked in other European cities. One of these techniques is the inclusion of gold- and silver-leaf into pieces, incorporated as the hot glass is blown and shaped. These examples of this venerable artform include a green and pink pendant on rubberized cord; coppery-hued drop earrings for pierced ears; two bracelets, one with a golden glass bauble, the other a deep mauve piece; another pair of coppery drop earrings, on gold-tone chains; and a pair of azure screw-backs that are likely not Murano but nonetheless quite beautiful.                   
Condition: excellent, most new