For over seven centuries, the history of Murano has been intertwined with that of the Seguso family—the island’s oldest family of master glassmakers still in business. We step inside their furnace to discover absolute masterpieces of the glassmaker’s art.
The island of Murano represents history’s first industrial district, established in 1291 when the Serenissima Republic of Venice decreed the relocation of all glass furnaces from the lagoon city to prevent city fires and safeguard manufacturing secrets. It was here that glassmaking genius revolutionized global artistic craftsmanship, with the invention of mirror glass in 1540 and the complex *filigrana* (filigree) technique in 1550—masterpieces of virtuosity and elegance.
Within this unique landscape, Seguso holds an unrivaled distinction: it is the oldest independent glassmaking family in Murano with an unbroken lineage, a legacy now upheld by brothers Gianluca, Pierpaolo, and Giandandrea. Spanning twenty-three generations, this dynasty has kept the flame of glass artistry alive, transforming fire into poetry and raw material into globally recognized “glass couture” creations.
An example of timeless excellence, capable of uniting the millennia-old tradition of the world’s first industrial district with the high artistry of glassmaking.
Avant-garde design and major accolades
Throughout the 20th century, Seguso Vetri d’Arte pushed the boundaries of formal experimentation to unprecedented limits, especially in the 30ies under the guidance of Archimede and Angelo Seguso. A journey of excellence crowned by the distinction of holding the record for the highest number of Compasso d’Oro awards won by a Murano firm, including the historic first award presented under a jury chaired by Gio Ponti.
Characterized by sculptural forms, chromatic transparency, and unparalleled technical mastery, Seguso’s creations are now housed in the permanent collections of over 100 museums worldwide, ranging from MoMA in New York to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Seguso’s masterpieces
In the Murano HQ, which begins with a temporal gallery and various “museum” exhibition rooms, you can admire many of the masterpieces for which Seguso Vetri d’Arte is known:
The “Onde” Chandelier: a monumental sculptural structure designed between the 1950s and 1960s. Instead of the classic floral arm shape of the Venetian Baroque, the “Onde” model uses modular elements in hot-molded blown glass in the shape of a fluid wave, superimposed to create dynamism and exceptional light refraction effects.
*Vasi Materici* (Textural Vases): Developed primarily between the 1930s and 1950s under the stylistic direction of Flavio Poli and Archimede Seguso, these vases are distinguished by their substantial thickness of clear glass—encasing superimposed layers of color—and the use of filigree glass cane techniques.
Glassware for Lady Diana and Prince Charles (1985): To mark the historic official visit of the British royals to Venice in May 1985, Seguso created a special, custom-made table service. These goblets—featuring refined engravings and hand-applied gold leaf details—were presented as a gift and became an iconic symbol of Murano craftsmanship serving royal households.
High-end craftsmanship in large-scale, bespoke glass
The final stop on the tour of the Seguso headquarters is the furnace. Here, as magnificent chandeliers descend from the ceiling, one immediately understands why Seguso Vetri d’Arte stands today as an irreplaceable benchmark for high-end interior architecture and luxury contract projects, driven by its dedication to “glass couture.”
Indeed, the furnace is one of the very few in Murano capable of crafting massive, bespoke works of art glass—creating monumental installations, majestic chandeliers, and dramatic, custom-made furnishings. The company boasts numerous artistic collaborations, ranging from projects for Tiffany fragrances and furnishings for the Four Seasons hotel chain to commissions for royal residences worldwide.
The Secret
The true secret of the Seguso family is preserved in the “Golden Book” of Murano nobility and in secret color recipes passed down orally from father to son. It is an intangible heritage of technical expertise and artistic sensibility that enables them—even today—to free-hand shape massive volumes of glass as if they were light air bubbles, and to create unique color nuances that no one else can replicate.
Useful Info
Seguso Vetri d’Arte
Calle Cavour 1
30141 Murano, Venezia
Tel. +39 041 5275333
Glass furnace: by appointment
