The timeless elegance of the Venetian mirror

The Venetian mirror has its roots in 15th-century Venice. At that time, Venice was renowned for its exceptional expertise in the art of glassmaking. The innovative techniques used by glassmakers, particularly on the island of Murano, led to the creation of mirrors of unprecedented clarity and quality. These mirrors were highly prized and symbolised luxury and wealth. This article evokes the tradition of the Venetian mirror, a decorative accessory that is still highly prized, offering a beauty that transcends trends and adapts to interiors of very different styles. View of the presentation of the 1st Dolce & Gabbana collection for the home in 2021 in Venice. On one of the walls hangs an imposing Venetian mirror by Maison Barbini, one of Murano's most renowned glassworks for the design and production of Venetian mirrors. View of the presentation of the 1st Dolce & Gabbana collection for the house in 2021 in Venice. On one of the walls stands an imposing Venetian mirror by Maison Barbini, one of Murano's most renowned glassworks for the design and production of Venetian mirrors. Murano, a series of islands in the Venetian lagoon, is famous for its centuries-old tradition of glass-blowing. Venetian mirrors are made here using a special technique that involves adding a metallic layer behind the glass to create a reflection. These mirrors are often adorned with exquisite details, such as engravings, coloured glass borders, and floral or geometric motifs. Each mirror is a unique piece and is entirely covered in sheet glass. They often feature a pediment and beaded frame to enlarge the glass surface. Murano, a series of islands in the Venetian lagoon, is famous for its centuries-old tradition of glass-blowing. Venetian mirrors are made here using a special technique that involves adding a metallic layer behind the glass to create a reflection. These mirrors are often adorned with exquisite details, such as engravings, coloured glass borders, and floral or geometric motifs. Each mirror is a unique piece and is entirely covered in sheet glass. They often feature a pediment and beaded frame to enlarge the glass surface. NontiscordardiMe Venetian mirror, made in Murano in the early 1940s. NontiscordardiMe Venetian mirror, made in Murano in the early 1940s. NontiscordardiMe Venetian mirror, made entirely in refined transparent glass, made in Murano in the early 1940s. Detail of the frame. NontiscordardiMe Venetian mirror, made entirely in refined transparent glass, made in Murano in the early 1940s. Detail of the frame. NontiscordardiMe Venetian mirror, made entirely in refined transparent glass in Murano in the early 1940s. Detail of the inlays. The frame is covered in precious gold leaf and decorated with 18 roses in light blue glass. NontiscordardiMe Venetian mirror, made entirely in refined transparent glass in Murano in the early 1940s. Detail of the inlays. The frame is covered in precious gold leaf and adorned with 18 roses in light blue glass. Skilled craftsmen carefully create these works of art by hand, using techniques and manufacturing secrets that have been handed down from generation to generation over many centuries of glassmaking. Many Venetian mirrors handcrafted centuries ago are still in existence and are cherished by families who jealously guard them. Skilled craftsmen carefully create these works of art by hand, using techniques and manufacturing secrets that have been handed down from generation to generation over centuries of glassmaking. Many Venetian mirrors handcrafted centuries ago are still in existence and are cherished by families who keep them jealously. Venetian mirrors are renowned for their elaborate borders, delicate patterns and details in etched or coloured glass. Some pieces transform an ordinary wall into a true work of art. Venetian mirrors come in a variety of shapes: rectangular, oval, round or even more complex. Designs range from simple borders to elaborate ornamentation with floral motifs, scrolls and raised details. Some have an antique finish for a vintage look, while others are modern and sleek. Traditionally made from Murano glass, some incorporate metal or wooden elements for the frame. Venetian mirrors are renowned for their elaborate borders, delicate patterns and etched or coloured glass details. Some pieces transform an ordinary wall into a real work of art. Venetian mirrors come in a variety of shapes: rectangular, oval, round or even more complex. Designs range from simple borders to elaborate ornamentation with floral motifs, scrolls and raised details. Some have an antique finish for a vintage look, while others are modern and sleek. Traditionally made from Murano glass, some incorporate metal or wooden elements for the frame. Large Venetian wall mirror in Murano glass. The engraved mirror depicts a gentleman and a lady courting. Large Venetian wall mirror in Murano glass. The engraved mirror depicts a gentleman and a lady courting. Large Venetian wall mirror in Murano glass, detail of the frame. Large Venetian wall mirror in Murano glass, detail of the frame. Splendid antique mirror in the Sansovino Venetian style, carved in high relief and richly gilded and highly burnished. Probably an exceptional piece from the 19th century. Splendid antique Sansovino style mirror, carved in high relief, richly gilded and highly burnished. Probably an exceptional piece from the 19th century. Did you know? Venetian glassmakers perfected the mystical technique of gold dust: they added gold leaf to the glass before the freezing process and included it in the mirror glass. The gold leaf, protected forever in the glass, added eternal colour and brilliance to the Venetian mirror. Did you know? Venetian glassmakers perfected the mystical technique of gold dust: they added gold leaf to the glass before the freezing process and included it in the mirror glass. The gold leaf, protected forever in the glass, added eternal colour and brilliance to the Venetian mirror. How can you recognise a genuine Venetian mirror? To identify a genuine Venetian mirror, you can check the following points. Firstly, the quality of the glass: it must be clear and flawless. Next, the ornamentation must be finely worked and detailed. Don't forget the signature: some mirrors bear the signature of the craftsman, the master glassmaker, or a certificate of authenticity. Don't forget that authentic Murano glass is only produced on the island of Murano in Italy. Based on the signature of the master glassmaker and/or the certificate of authenticity, you can then identify the origin of the glasswork. How can you recognise a genuine Venetian mirror? To identify a genuine Venetian mirror, you can check the following points. Firstly, the quality of the glass: it must be clear and flawless. Next, the ornamentation must be finely worked and detailed. Don't forget the signature: some mirrors bear the signature of the craftsman, the master glassmaker, or a certificate of authenticity. Don't forget that authentic Murano glass is only produced on the island of Murano in Italy. Based on the signature of the master glassmaker and/or the certificate of authenticity, you can then identify the origin of the glasswork. Magnificent Regency-style Venetian mirror, traditionally hand-crafted by Murano's master glassmakers. Magnificent Regency-style Venetian mirror, traditionally hand-crafted by Murano's master glassmakers. Magnificent Regency-style Venetian mirror, traditionally hand-crafted by Murano's master glassmakers. Detail of the engravings (twisted garlands) and inlay of glass flowers Magnificent Regency style Venetian mirror, traditionally hand-crafted by Murano's master glassmakers. Detail of the engravings (twisted garlands) and inlay of glass flowers The tradition of the Venetian mirror refers to historical know-how and is often associated with an organic design with extensive ornamentation. However, contemporary design fans who prefer a pared-down style to one that is full of flowers and ornamentation need not worry: the great Murano glassworks have kept up with the times, offering Venetian mirrors designed in collaboration with contemporary artists. The tradition of the Venetian mirror is rooted in historical know-how and is often associated with an organic design and extensive ornamentation. Fans of contemporary design who prefer a pared-down approach to a flowery, 'busy' style need take heart: the great Murano glass houses have kept up with the times, offering Venetian mirrors designed in collaboration with contemporary artists. Barbini, for example, a family of master glassmakers established in Murano in the second half of the 16th century, revived the tradition of Venetian mirrors in the 20th century and now works with contemporary designers such as Philippe Starck, India Madawi, Nathalie Decoster, Martino Gamper and Sara Forte. In collaboration with Barbini, the latter has designed 2 contemporary ranges of Venetian mirrors that literally dust off the somewhat outdated image of the Venetian mirror. Barbini, a family of master glassmakers established in Murano in the second half of the 16th century, revived the tradition of the Venetian mirror in the 20th century and now works with contemporary designers such as Philippe Starck, India Madawi, Nathalie Decoster, Martino Gamper and Sara Forte. In collaboration with Barbini, the latter has designed 2 contemporary ranges of Venetian mirrors that literally dust off the somewhat outdated image of the Venetian mirror. ALISE' model, Venetian mirror designed in Murano glass by Sara Forte for Barbini, Astrazioni collection. ALISE' model, Venetian mirror in Murano glass designed by Sara Forte for Barbini, Astrazioni collection. Achille" model, Venetian mirror designed in Murano glass by Sara Forte for Ongaro e Fuga. An extraordinary work that explores the representation of the Greek hero Achilles in Wolfgang Petersen's 2004 film Troy. Achilles" model, Venetian mirror designed in Murano glass by Sara Forte for Ongaro e Fuga. This extraordinary work explores the depiction of the Greek hero Achilles in Wolfgang Petersen's 2004 film Troy. As well as their beauty, Venetian mirrors play a functional role by amplifying space and natural light. They add depth to a room, making it larger and brighter. Their ability to reflect light can also help to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. In addition to their beauty, Venetian mirrors play a functional role by amplifying space and natural light. They add depth to a room, making it larger and brighter. Their ability to reflect light can also help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Despite their rich history and an appearance that some find ostentatious, Venetian mirrors can be adapted to a variety of interior styles, from the most classic to the most modern. They can be used as a contrasting element in a minimalist décor or to complement a more opulent interior. Their designs range from traditional motifs to contemporary interpretations, allowing them to harmonise with different decorative themes. For all these reasons, the Venetian mirror is regularly back in fashion, as a timeless decorative accessory to make a home's interior shine! Despite their rich history and a look that some find ostentatious, Venetian mirrors can be adapted to a variety of interior styles, from the most classic to the most modern. They can be used as a contrasting element in a minimalist décor, or to complement a more opulent interior. Their designs range from traditional motifs to contemporary interpretations, allowing them to harmonise with different decorative themes. For all these reasons, the Venetian mirror is regularly back in fashion, as a timeless decorative accessory to make a home's interior shine! François Boutard François Boutard François Boutard François Boutard

The timeless elegance of the Venetian mirror

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