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Decorative-arts specialist Lauren Anderson says authentic Murano glass is made by artisans on the island of Murano, near Venice. Handmade features can offer clues, but signatures and labels may be copied, so buyers should also check provenance, condition and the seller’s evidence.
A Veranda buying guide featuring advice from Lauren Anderson, decorative-arts director at STAIR Galleries, outlines checks buyers can use to assess whether a glass object was made on Murano, the Venetian island associated with centuries of glassmaking. Anderson says buyers should look beyond labels and signatures, which can be copied, and weigh handmade details, provenance and condition together.
In the guide, Anderson distinguishes Murano glass from “Murano-style” glass. The former, she says, is made by artisans on the island of Murano; the latter describes work made elsewhere using similar materials or techniques. Murano is not one single brand, but a tradition involving many artisans and workshops.
Signs of handwork can include small variations and a pontil mark—a polished or concave scar left where a glass-blowing rod was detached. Anderson advises taking a closer look at objects that appear machine-made or have clunky design and conspicuous flaws. But appearance alone does not establish authenticity: the guide also cautions that a rough finish may be a reason to investigate further, not definitive proof that an item is fake.
Anderson says finely made pieces can be relatively lightweight despite layered colors, which may include gold, silver or platinum fused into the glass. For online purchases, she recommends asking for photographs from all sides, including the base and top, and asking directly about internal cracks. Damage can reduce a glass piece’s value, the guide says.
Checks Before Buying Murano Glass
The advice matters to collectors and home buyers because Murano-style objects may resemble island-made work without sharing its origin or market value. A confident-looking label, signature or online listing is not enough to establish where a piece was produced. Buyers who rely on a single visual clue may mistake a copy for an original—or dismiss a genuine object because it has ordinary signs of hand production.
Anderson’s guidance points to a more cautious approach: consider craftsmanship, documented history, condition and seller knowledge together. That is particularly relevant for lighting, which she says can be difficult to identify and is often unsigned. Asking questions before paying can help buyers understand what is known about an object and what remains unverified.
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Murano’s Glassmaking Tradition
Murano refers to an island cluster in the Venetian Lagoon. The supplied guide says Venetian authorities ordered glass furnaces moved there in 1291, citing the fire risk they posed to Venice’s wooden buildings. The island went on to become a centre of Venetian glassmaking.
Anderson compares the name to Champagne: in her explanation, it links the product to a specific place rather than a single company. The guide describes the craft as drawing on a tradition stretching back hundreds of years, while noting that other makers can imitate its styles. That distinction—place of manufacture versus style—is central to judging a claim of authenticity.
“Murano is also used to refer to a ‘style’ of glass which is emulated by artists outside of pieces created on the island of Murano.”
— Lauren Anderson, decorative-arts director at STAIR Galleries
What Visual Clues Cannot Prove
The guide does not provide a definitive test or a complete catalogue of marks that can confirm a piece’s maker and origin. Signatures and stickers can be copied, and some Murano lighting is unsigned, making authentication more difficult. A pontil mark or a particular finish can help inform an assessment, but the supplied advice does not say any one feature proves authenticity.
It is also unclear from the guide how buyers should obtain independent authentication for a specific object, or what documentation would be sufficient in every case. Anderson recommends comparing signatures with known examples and asking about provenance, but the reliability of a seller’s account depends on the evidence available. Buyers should treat unsupported claims cautiously.
Questions to Ask the Seller
Before buying, Anderson recommends asking about the object’s origin, condition and history, including where the seller acquired it and what details support the attribution. For online listings, request clear images of the entire piece, especially its base and top, and ask whether it has internal cracks or other damage. The guide also suggests considering reputable specialist sources and local or online auction houses.
The source offers buyer guidance, not an announced policy or formal authentication process; it gives no date for a follow-up development. For an expensive or consequential purchase, buyers may want an independent assessment and supporting provenance before committing. The authenticity and value of any particular piece remain dependent on evidence specific to that object.
Key Questions
What qualifies as authentic Murano glass?
According to Lauren Anderson, it must be made by artisans on the island of Murano. Glass made elsewhere in a similar style is Murano-style glass, not island-made Murano glass.
Does a sticker or signature prove a piece is authentic?
No. Anderson cautions that signatures and stickers can be copied. She recommends comparing a signature with known examples and checking provenance and overall quality as well.
What is a pontil mark?
A pontil mark is a polished or concave scar that can remain where a glass-blowing rod was detached. The guide describes it as a possible sign of handwork, not proof of authenticity on its own.
What should I ask when buying Murano glass online?
Ask for photos of the object from all sides, including the top and base. Ask about its origin, condition, provenance and any internal cracks, and request evidence for claims about its maker.
Source: veranda.com
