On our trip to Italy and Croatia last October, we were lucky enough to have the chance to tour one of the world's oldest glassblowing factories in Venice on the island of Murano. Barovier & Toso has been in existence since the 1200's and continually family owned and operated (making it the 4th oldest family run company in the world)! Besides their history, the quality of their products made this a really exciting tour. We began with the family tree in the front of the office, to remind them of their legacy every single day.
Moving on, our favorite chandelier was this intensely dark purple one in the main lobby. This would be considered new, but the drawings that it is designed from have been in the company archives for over 200 years so it's almost an antique as well!
The main sales office draws inspiration from centuries past but works it in well with the modern.
Any blemished pieces are destroyed, so that there is never an imperfect product leaving the warehouse.
It takes 25 years of working and studying to become a "glass master". This one works on a chandelier cup. Did I mention they sell chandeliers to the Pope? And they have done since the vatican was built!
Another glass master works on an arm for a modern chandelier
Everything is worked on by hand, blown by hand, and molded by hand. No machines involved (other than a few scorching furnaces)
Some items awaiting construction
The arms we saw being blown
The colors being used the day we visited. They only do four per day, and they change every day based on what projects need to be completed. Scheduling is very precise.
