A glassblower skilfully shapes a heated molten mould of clear glass into a handcrafted flower vase with the assistance of a colleague at the Wave Mura
A glassblower skilfully shapes a heated molten mould of clear glass into a handcrafted flower vase with the assistance of a colleague at the Wave Murano Glass Furnace, on the island of Murano near Venice in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It was in the 15th century when Italian Master Angelo Barovier first discovered the processes of making ‘Cristallo Veneziano’, the world's first ever-invented clear glass. As some ancient skills are dying out, some, such as the known Murano glass thriving by introducing young people into the artisan world such as Wave Murano Glass, a glasswork set up in early 2017 by founder and Master of glass making, Roberto Beltrami who employs a mixed team of young skilled artisans and apprentices who produces newer designs to its worldwide customers. To save precious time relighting and heating furnaces daily, they are kept burning 24/7 at around 1,090 °C (2,000 °F). Aware of climate change, environment and energy, Wave Murano Glass is the only glass manufacturer in Murano that has introduced a glass melting furnace with a ground-breaking waste heat recuperation system to save energy and have a much lower environmental impact. The art of glassmaking began when glassmakers from the ancient Roman city of Aquileia in northern Italy, first made tracks across the Venetian lagoon to Venice to escape attacks by Barbarians during the Roman Empire. Over time, other Glassmakers followed and relocated to Venice from Byzantium and the Middle East, bringing additional skills to enrich the talent pool of Venetian glass further. Many glassmaking furnaces were first based in and around wooden buildings in Venice until 1291 when a new law was passed by the Venetian Great Council based in the Doge’s Palace in Venice, to move all glassmaking to the nearby island of Murano owing to the repeated outbreaks of devastating fires, and for the safeguarding the art of glassblowing secrets.
Size: 4024px × 6048px
Location: Murano, Venice, Veneto region, Italy
Photo credit: © richard sowersby / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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