Murano glass art modern furniture
On Murano island, in Italy Venice province, the Murano glass art modern furniture, thanks to the ability of the masters, is developed and created from the masters of glassworks.
For over a thousand years, a tradition with its ancient secrets handed down from generation to generation and that is not taught in any school. An Italian Heritage to promote and defend.
Through precious lessons deriving from the Italian tradition glassworks established in the 40s, the industrial glass, so charming with its linear essentiality, is enriched and warmed by shapes and colors that always refer to the inexhaustible heritage of the Venetian handicraft, with intelligence and creativity, giving life to a product unique of its kind in Murano glass art modern furniture.
Murano Glass
Soda is added at the silica sand, which allows the fusion with lower temperatures. Moreover, the glass solidifies more slowly. As dyestuffs, the metallic oxides are often used: manganese for amethyst and purple, cobalt for light-blue, fine gold for the ruby red, copper for green and blue colors. The reverberation oven smelts the raw materials with a temperature of about 1400° C. The vitreous paste remains ductile and mouldable till 500° C.
The “Blown Glass” is the main high-level working technique: a clot of incandescent glass is taken by using an iron blowing rod. Another age-old technique is “Murrina”: it is regarding infusing monochrome or polychrome section of vitreous stick on the base of a specific drawing, to obtain a colorful vitreous tissue. The “Solid Glass”, is at the end, the typical Murano manufacture process. This proceeding consists of sculpting the hot vitreous mass to obtain specific figures. The technical difficulties due to the big weight of the incandescent glass are considerable and that’s why today, the rare and appreciated Murano’s Glass Masters, keep on maintaining high the level of the secular fame of this Art unique in the world in Murano glass art modern furniture.
Specific glass technologies: cut, grinding, silvering, milling, bending, that joint to the highest level of technologic precision in the steel working, to make granted and patented mechanisms, realized with new steel qualities to offer high performances, in terms of and corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.
Glass
The word “Glass” in the most usual language refers to the glasses made mainly from silicon oxides (silicon glasses) used mainly as construction material or in the manufacture of decorative components, as complements, accessories, and lighting. Most of the utilization of the glass derives from its clearness and translucency to the visible glass, from its chemical non-alterability and its versatility. There are different types of glass, the flat glass, it ranges from the float glass (the 90% of the worldwide flat glass is called “float”, for its production with flotation system), available in several thicknesses from the 2mm to the 24mm and offered also in the extra-clear glass version, smoked, frosted, sandblasted and bush-hammered. There are also different working of the flat glass: cut, grinding, milling, puncturing, laminating and tempering. The most captivating feature is linked to the rays of light: the glass lives and it disclose itself thanks to the light! Always unique and different is a matchless and highest ornamental material, a multifaceted element as per a precious diamond!
The glass can be float transparent or extra-clear, smoked, sandblasted, or frosted; lacquered or etched lacquered with environmentally friendly water-based products. Most of the talented interior designer uses artistic glasses in their projects.
Colored shiny
A wide range of contemporary colors, allowed by a high-performance layer of water-based lacquer that is environmentally friendly, is placed on the internal side of the transparent glass sheet. The result is a rich color palette that makes fascinating color alternatives through the play of light and transparency. Here is that objects enhance themselves of color variations, through the everchanging play of light. In perfect compatibility with the philosophy of the companies, every color and combination can be customized, according to the customer requirements and the project to be realized.
Matt
Like the shiny lacquering, also the coating of the frosted glass panels guarantee an exclusive and high refinement result, secured by the matt and silky effect, in a wide variety of colors from the softer ones to the vigorous ones, always with water-based products and always with the maximum control to the quality and the durability.
Glass application in the furniture industry
Some well-known Italian companies use the Murano glass and massive glass as a base for their tables and have always been privileging the use of high-quality materials, such as glass, marble, forged iron, and wood, seeking new contrasts and technological procedures on the cutting edge, with a craft ability. The results are furnishings that express the perfect combining of technology, design, research, and tradition, in Murano glass art modern furniture.
Those Italian companies collaborate with famous architects, both Italian and foreign. The most well-known are Pininfarina, Sacha Lakic, Maurice Barilone, Andrée Putman, Arnaldo Gamba, Leila Guerra, and Marco Piva.
Following some industrial process related to the realization of furniture and glass objects, that interior designer Bangkok use in his projects :
The bending process
The bending process consists essentially of three elements:
- the molds;
- checking the temperature of the sheet of glass at various points to meet each of these points differently, depending on the final shape to be accomplished;
- the master bender, who only after many years of training, guided by an expert “master glassmaker”, starts to take some of the operations on his own until he finally takes full responsibility for them, empowering him to combine technical skill and manual proficiency.
This craft requires various and complex skills, the achievement of which indicate an undoubted passion for one’s work, namely:
- guiding and imparting the correct temperature to the various points on the sheet of glass;
- moving the reference mold, opening the hatch of a furnace with internal temperatures between 650° and 900°;
- when necessary, molding the glass utilizing various tools until it assumes the desired shape;
- maintain the level of the glass between the solid and the liquid state, under unique conditions.
However, passion alone is not enough: expertise requires a high level of sensitivity! The involvement of the master bender and his capability to work in harmony with the colleague helping him in front of the furnace are essential elements providing to the quality of the finished product. It is from this very meeting of technology and craftsman’s know-how that distinct, non-mass-produced items are born.
The fusion
To transform a sheet of glass into a three-dimensional creation, the sheet of the glass must be subjected to a heat-treatment process consisting of three steps, each of which occurs within a temperature range that is well marked for each product being worked:
- heating, before bending;
- melting, during which the glass changes form due to gravity. During this operation, the artisan in charge of melting “helps” the glass to assume the intended shape, endowing the finished product with that uniqueness that discern it from the mass-produced article.
- cooling, which occurs in different chambers, is the process that decides whether or not there are any residual tensions inside the created object.
The furnaces reaching internal temperatures of between 650° and 900°C. This equipment is designed and built within the company and represents the pinnacle of the know-how.
The engraving
The engraving is the abrasive-mechanical type and is conduct manually by the master engraver, making use of specific grinding wheels to produce the desired decorative motif.
Here too, the human contribution is crucial. The person, although following a predefined order, contributes through his sensitivity, infusing the design and, therefore, the product with an absolute uniqueness. This feature is very common in Murano glass art modern furniture.
The sculpting
The production, from scratch, is one of the most engaging points in the production process, in which craftsmanship finds its most spectacular representation.
On a specially equipped bench, the master carver appears almost like an artist due to the sensitivity required by the process and for the result itself. Selecting the most appropriate piece of glass time after time, drawing the shape that each piece must take, preparing each piece of glass by grinding the edge and smoothing it to avoid it causing injury and finally sculpting it using a special “tool” with an almost rhythmical movement: piece after piece the master sculptor’s ability is manifested and one can see the meeting point of creativity and skills.
This stage is followed by operations that are also an evidence to the absence of mass-production in the creation of these pieces: the individual fragments, once sculpted, are finished on the sanding belt and then joined one to the other to make up the table leg, which is then ready to be connected to the tabletop. This feature is very common in Murano glass art modern furniture.
The silvering
This process consists of depositing metallic silver (through the precipitation of silver nitrate) on the parts, not in touch with the tin, and allows the creation of glass with the ability to reflect any rays of light that strike its surface.
This operation is based on chemical reactions, but also include careful control of all the parameters that affect the quality of the end product in that they are influenced by weather conditions. This feature is very common in Murano glass art modern furniture.
Although characterized by a high technological content, the experience and sensitivity of the artisan in charge of silvering are also essential in ensuring a good result in this process.
The assembly
To join two or more separately produced elements, there are two types of bonding: welding using UV rays and bonding using silicon or polyurethane.
Welding utilizing UV rays
One of the aspects of the glues used for this type of bonding is that they contain particles that are only activated by a particular light-spectrum frequency (with a wavelength of 362 microns), which is that of ultra-violet light. It needs only a few seconds of exposure to the right light emitted by special lamps to bond the parts together permanently. To ensure that the lamps transmit the required light frequency, glass factories use a special instrument, called a UV-meter, which constantly monitors wear and tear of their power.
Bonding with silicone or polyurethane
These types of glues catalyze over time utilizing the combined effects of temperature and humidity. To achieve the best possible result, the assembly department can monitor both of these parameters daily, making adjustments every time the readings fall outside the established limits that guarantee the best bonding characteristics.
The assembly of showcases
The assembly of a showcase is a particularly complex operation, also due to the problems that may be experienced with tolerances and lining up of the following parts, as curved glass, wood-based panels that are either painted or veneered, metal sections, hinges, locks, etc,
Following a list of most common glasses in the furniture field and interior design, also for doors and partitions:
Tempered glasses
Single tempered glasses, in other words, cooked at 650° C of temperature. Mechanical resistance 5 times higher in comparison to normal glass. Following the UNI EN 12150, UNI 7697 and UNI EN 12600 rules with mention to the security of glasses for decoration purposes. In case of breaking it break up in harmless tiny fragments. The operations of maintenance and cleaning can be done with an extreme absence of complications.
Laminate glasses
Double glasses. Between the two glasses (1) a thin plastic film (2) is inserted. Transparent and invisible it perfectly sticks to both surfaces. Both surfaces are perfectly smooth. Resistance to breaking following the UNI EN ISO 12543, UNI 7697 and UNI EN 12600 rules. The plastic film holds back the fragments in case of cracks. The operations of care and cleaning can be done with extreme ease.
Transparent glasses
Perfectly shiny surface.
Glass produced to guarantee the greatest degree of transparency.
Float glass complies with UNI EN 572-1 standards for general, physical and mechanical properties of glass, and with UNI EN 572-2 requisites for float glass size and quality.
Higher scratch resistance considers to conventional painted surfaces.
Temperature variation resistance matches to the UNI 9429 standard.
Matt glasses
Perfectly smooth surface.
Glass with low-grade transparency distinguished by a homogeneous satin result.
Higher scratch resistance compared to properly painted surfaces. Float glass complies with UNI EN 572-1 standards for general, physical and mechanical properties of glass, and with UNI EN 572-2 required for float glass size and quality standard.
Corrosion resistance fulfills to the UNI EN ISO 9227 standard.
Temperature fluctuation resistance matches the UNI 9429 standard.
Reflective glasses
Perfectly smooth surface.
Transparent glass with a metallic coat that produces a special reflecting effect and result.
Float glass respect with UNI EN 572-1 standards for general, physical and mechanical properties of glass, and with UNI EN 572-2 required for float glass size and quality standards.
Higher scratch resistance compared to conventional painted surfaces.
Corrosion resistance fulfills to the UNI EN ISO 9227 standard.
Temperature fluctuation resistance matches to the UNI 9429 standard.
Mirrors
A surface that has the greatest degree of reflecting power.
Higher scratch resistance weighs to conventional mirrors surfaces.
Produced without adding copper and lead to metal layers and protective paints, according to European Directive ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances).
Resistance to declining and to aggression from chemical agents, according to regulation EN 1036.
Glossy lacquered glasses
Perfectly smooth surface.
Brightness is comparable to 100 gloss.
Not transparent glass, characterized by high reflectivity.
Higher scratch resistance is equivalent to conventional painted surfaces.
Corrosion resistance conforms to the UNI EN ISO 9227 standard.
Temperature fluctuation resistance matches to the UNI 9429 standard.
The color is inside the double glass, secure from stains, dust, and moisture.
The thickness of the glass creates an exclusive “depth” result.
Matt lacquered glasses
Surface with velvet touch effect.
Not transparent glasses, distinguished by a very marked opacity effect.
Surface high resistant to scratching. Refractory fingerprints.
Corrosion resistance fulfills to the UNI EN ISO 9227 standard.
Temperature fluctuation resistance matches to the UNI 9429 standard.
The color is inside the double glass, safe from discoloration, dust, and humidity.
The thickness of the glass generates an exclusive “depth” effect and feeling.
Reflex glasses
Perfectly smooth surface.
Brightness is comparable to 100 gloss.
Not transparent glass, characterized by high reflectivity with metallic style surface.
Float glass complies with UNI EN 572-1 standards for general, physical and mechanical properties of glass, and with UNI EN 572-2 requisites for float glass size and quality.
The color is inside the double glass, safe from stains, powdery and moisture.
The thickness of the glass generates an exclusive “depth” effect.
The ideal “companies” for the best Murano glass products
