A stunning Murano glass photograph frame, made in Venice, Italy around the middle of the 20th century. These intricately detailed items were the epitome of Murano glassmaking of the 20th century. There is so much to feast the eye, from twisted glass canes, to hand etched mirrored glass, gold flowers set to the four corners and petals radiating outwards. All hand made, all hand blown, all assembled to one spectacularly over the top photograph frame which fits so well within any traditional or mid century interior.

A brief history about Murano glassware. Murano became Europe's luxury glassmaking centre, peaking in popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries. Venice's dominance in trade along the Mediterranean created a wealthy merchant class that was a strong connoisseur of the arts. This helped establish demand for art glass and more innovations. The spread of glassmaking talent in Europe eventually diminished the importance of Venice and its Murano glassmakers and the occupation and dissolution of the Venetian state by Napoleon Bonapartet in 1797 caused more hardship for Murano's glassmaking industry. Murano glassmaking began a revival in the 1920s. Today, Murano and Venice are tourist attractions, and Murano is home to numerous glass factories and a few individual artists' studios. Its Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) in the Palazzo Giustinian contains displays on the history of glassmaking as well as glass samples ranging from Egyptian times through the present day.

Condition: excellent, please refer to photographs

Dimensions: 29cm high, 26.5cm wide, 4.5cm deep