OUR
GLASS
WORKSHOP
Tuscany has its own distinct glass tradition deeply rooted in craft, quieter than Murano's. It is rich in territory with the narrative of beauty coming from an honesty of the material, shaped by breath and touch alone.
The Venetian masters were celebrated for taking glass far from its raw origins. Thin, luminous, elaborately decorated. Thread it into lace, suspend gold within it, blow walls so fine they disappeared. A diplomatic gift between courts.
Tuscan glass is heavier and more substantial than the gossamer thinness Murano is known for. There's a solidity. The beauty is in the simplicity, weight, proportion and material itself.
The first recorded glass trade in Tuscany dates to the 12th century. Every shape is an ancestral shape retaining the mark of the Maestri. The protectors of the history our ancestors gave us.
Our artisans perpetuate centuries-old traditions that lie at the core of their legacy, driven by a fervor for craftsmanship that spans generations. Skills are passed and apprenticeships can last a decade.
Our fundamentals of blowing are the same as Murano, gather, blow, shape, reheat, anneal, but our Tuscan maestros often work with a canna soffiante (blowpipe) and a pontello (punty rod) to finish the base, in a manner that's been relatively unchanged for generations. Shaped by breath and touch alone, the work has a different presence.
The process is a continuous dance: The maestro leads, but is supported by the servente (assistant) and garzone (apprentice), all working in precise, wordless coordination around the heat.
Tuscan verde glass is associated with the region. When glassmaking traditions went to considerable lengths to purify their raw materials, removing iron and other minerals to achieve clarity. Tuscany did the opposite, it recognized the green as an asset and built an identity around it. A condition of the land. The silica sand drawn from the surrounding Tuscan earth carries a naturally high concentration of iron oxide. When that sand is melted at furnace temperature, the iron expresses itself as color, a deep green that varies depending on the thickness of the glass, the temperature of the fire, and the specific mineral composition of each batch. No two pieces are exactly the same.
The furnace is called a fornace, burning at around 1,400°C (2,550°F). Many smaller Tuscan workshops still use wood-fired or mixed furnaces that impart a slightly different quality of heat than the high-tech electric furnaces common in contemporary Murano studios.
The maestro collects the molten from the furnace, rotating the pipe constantly to prevent dripping. Steady breath goes through the pipe creating a bubble inside the mass.
Shaping begins using tools like jacks (large metal tongs), wooden blocks, and a flat marver (steel table) while rotating. The piece is returned to the bocca (mouth of the furnace) repeatedly to stay workable.
Annealing is when the finished piece goes into a cooling oven called the forno di ricottura, where it slowly drops in temperature over many hours to keep the glass from cracking.
When you see Made in Italy it isn’t just a label. It’s a certification of origin, craftsmanship, and quality. It is a promise of authenticity and prestige that few other marks in the world can guarantee.
To legally carry the Made in Italy mark, the critical stages of production, craft, and assembly must take place in Italy and guarantees your piece is created with the highest quality materials from Italy. It protects against counterfeits and ensures what you’re buying is genuinely Italian. This ensures consistency, mastery, and authenticity in every detail. An unmatched standard.
TO THE
TRADE
A beautiful, authentic way to stay connected and inspired together.
As a member of our trade program you'll be the first to know about new arrivals from Italy, as well as get a note from the studio or our artisans.
It's a really special look inside our Made in Italy story.