Murano is located on a small island northwest of the city of Venice, Italy -- not much larger than a few square miles.

It is believed the origins of Murano Glass dates back to 9th century Rome, with significant Asian and Muslim influences, as Venice was a major trading port. Multihued perle (pandora beads) were used in trading with Asian, African and Muslim neighbors. The first known historical document describes Domenico, a glass blowing master, who created bottles. Other equally rare documents describe Pietro Fiolario working with glass in 1083 and Giovanni Fiolario as a master glass blower making bottles in 1158.

During the1930s, Ermanno Toso changed the direction of Murano Glass, from one of creating traditional Muranese objects to one of one of more modern tastes. War threatened the glass masters in the 40s, but the industry managed to survive World War II and emerged post-war with pent up artistic energy, making the 1950s some of the most creative and innovative years the island of Murano have ever seen. The filigrana technique was expanded and used to new effect by another Murano master, Archimede Seguso, who opened his own shop, Vetreria Archimede Seguso, in 1946. Today, collectors consider the works created during this time the most desirable.

Artists including Dino Martens, who brought traditional Venetian techniques to America, Flavio Poli and Fulvio Bianconi all began making unique, non-traditional works to express their creativity.