Murano Glass Chandelier

Chandeliers have always commanded a respect for wealth and extravagance, but you need not be an 18th century royal to benefit from these wonderful light fixtures - these days you can get a good murano glass chandelier for your home decoration for a perfectly reasonable price, and what a decoration it will be. Although chandeliers are available in a range of materials, in this article I will be focusing primarily on the murano glass chandeliers, which use a special kind of glass that are very highly sought after for their beauty and exotic nature.

Murano, Venice, Italy:

Murano glass comes from the eponymous Venetian island. It has been a famous product of this magical place for centuries, and shows no sign of letting up. The history of the island of Murano goes back all the way to the 7th century, at which time it was a well-known commercial port, and by the 10th century it was known through Europe as a producer of fine glass. These days, the aura and mystique of Murano is so great that many companies try to pass off their glass as being "Murano glass", but this is a fallacy. Murano Island is the single unique producer of Murano glass, and you should accept no substitutes.

The history of glassmaking in Murano involves inspiration from Muslim and Asian influences, drawing knowledge from across vast continents, even in a time a whole millennium before powered transportation. History seems to tell us that in 1291, the Venetian republic ordered its glassmakers to take refuge from the constant threat posed by fire to the wooden Venice buildings by going offshore to the island. Venetian glass is subtly different to Murano glass, and the two are commonly interwoven today.

At one point, when the population of Murano was only 7000 people, a full 3000 were involved directly in the glassmaking business. Their families were successful, prosperous, and well received by the Venetian nobility.

Colors:

Chandeliers are available in a very broad range of colors. In this section, we will consider the merits and use of just a few. Firstly, a black murano glass chandelier can add a unique aesthetic to your home. A black body to a chandelier can seem quite daring - the effect is exaggerated if the chandelier body is larger or more elaborate. The black coloring supports a slightly sinister and foreboding look, quite distant from the very pretty chandeliers most people think of. Although a black murano glass chandelier will be a very beautiful design, it is not for the modest or the faint of heart, as it certainly stands out and is sure to be the focal point of any room.

Almost as striking as the black versions are the red murano glass chandeliers. These are very beautiful, a little bit racy but still ultimately classy and sophisticated, as you should expect from any model and color of chandelier. It is worth considering the atmosphere created by these designs. To my eyes the red murano glass chandeliers excel at providing a kind of exotic but casual Mediterranean air to the proceedings - while they are very delicate and fragile, they do not shout about it or seem presumptuous; instead, they serve as a brilliant backdrop to an easygoing party feeling or some kind of reception.

A white murano glass chandelier is a more traditional choice and none the worse off for it. White can be a beautifully simple and simply beautiful color, brightening a room with an almost faerie-like feeling of lightness and joy. Compared to the more severely colored variants, white is the most subtle and delicate, and will probably match nicely with almost any other decor, especially since it is more what people expect when it comes to chandeliers.

There is no doubt that any of these choices will suit you well if you take the time to consider where they will be going - stick to a murano glass chandelier and you can be sure to have a really great light fitting for years to come.