Set of three staircase knobs. Murano, Italy, first half of the 20th century.
Glass, with decorations inside.
They show marks of use.
Measurements: 15 cm. height.
Three Murano glass banister knobs, decorated on the inside with ribbons, helixes, bands and bows in different shades of blue, green and red.
The high value of Murano glass is explained by the artisanal and secret process of its manufacturers. Made on the Italian island of Murano, Murano glass has special properties and offers colours and shapes unlike any other glass. The history of Murano glass manufacturing dates back to the 8th century. By the 12th century Venice had become extremely popular for its fine glass. To keep the glass-making business unique and profitable, a law was passed in 1271 stating that no foreign glass could be imported for manufacture and no foreign glass workers could be hired. However, in the 13th century all glassmaking furnaces were moved by law from Venice to Murano, because the fires in them posed a great risk to the wooden structures of Venice. In combination, these two laws ensure that Murano glass is still unique today; created by artists and craftsmen from a small group of islands in Italy. The secrets of glass making have been passed down from father to son and from master to apprentice.