My wife is interested in getting a Murano glass chandelier while in venice. Does anyone have any experience with this, good places or bad (so we can avoid)? Would like to know if it's better to buy in Murano or anyplace in Venice. Any help is appreciated.
Tom
do a search on the board for "murano" or "glass" for more info. Some of the things I could pass on (though I never bought anything as large) would be to take the vaporetto over on your own. Do not fall subject to the shills in Venice offering you a free ride in a private boat and a tour. You will be harassed and pressured to buy from the place they represent in order to get their cut. Look through a few factories and stores, get an idea of prices, don't act overly interested or you will get the high pressure act. Negotiating on something more expensive is expected. You will need to ship something like that. There have been issues with this, people paying but never getting. The sales place will offer to ship, even offering for free; not sure if it would be better to arrange yourself through DHL or UPS and insure it.
Definitely go to Murano on your own to avoid the high pressure sales pitch. As Paul stated, do a google search for the companies/art galleries/factories that you want to visit and compile your own list. When I was there, I was lucky enough to tour through the back rooms of several private collections and showrooms, and never experienced a high pressure sales pitch, they were happy to share their love of glass with me. These manufactures are not on the "main drag" of Murano, but are represented in many of the art galleries. You can also ask the gallery owners to see if they could arrange a visit to where the chandelier was made (they have more pieces in their backrooms). One of my favorites is Toffolo Studio, however, his mini-chandeliers are a mix of traditional style and technique with modern. Cesare, his sons, and his wife have a different approach to glass, and use a combination of borosilicate (hard glass from Czechoslovakia)and soda-lime (soft glass from Italy). His working studio is above the gallery. Feel free to ask them when you're there where else you might go, they would be happy to help arrange the necessary introductions. The chandelier manufacturers will pack and ship for you, they even include several extra leaves and stems with your purchase (glass breaks!). These are family-owned (for centuries) companies and I would trust them completely to make sure your piece is packed and shipped appropriately. Places to avoid are ones that have glass made in China.
Tom- I almost forgot--Be prepared to spend 2000-5000 euros for a chandelier.
I have heard some stories both positive and negative. The one thing I came away with from the stories is do what you can to document your purchase-both in writing (exact description of what you have purchased) and with photographs if you can. Also, ask someone who will not profit from the sale but is familiar with the dealers for a reference. I believe a few "shady too good to be true" dealers have cheated some people and left others hesitant to buy. The people I bought from (carried my smaller pieces home) were only too willing to answer every question. I got the feeling they have "suffered" from the stories and want people to know they can be trusted. This was also true in other areas I made purchases.
If you pay with your credit card, you do have some protection. We bought a rug in Morocco a few years ago and had it shipped--the rug that arrived was a less expensive version of the one we ordered. It was a fairly complicated process, but we did get a refund from our credit card company.
We have purchased Murano glass a couple of times with good but expensive results. The real thing is handmade and not cheap!
As Michelle has stated, they are very expensive so be prepared to not only spend a small fortune on the chandelier but also on shipping. It is very expensive to ship from Italy. I know that they pack very well at Murano so packing should not be a concern. Have fun and happy shopping!!!!
Tom, we bought some glass at a shop named La Murrina. The glass work is beautiful. They have a shop in Los Angeles. We felt very secure that our purchases would arrive safely..and they did. Check out their website and their shop in LA and you should get a feel of what you want and what the cost will be!
Make sure that your purchase is shipped to your home address. I bought a handmade chest in Venice and the craftsman shipped it, but only to the port in Los Angeles. Fortunately, the company I worked for had a customs agent in LA and the hassle was minimal.
Tom,
My husband and I had a lampshade made and shipped to our home. The transaction went perfectly and our shade arrived safe and sound.
We got it from Gino Mazzuccato in Murano.
Good luck!
Well, I'd say the best advice is to only purchase such a high-ticket item like that from an artist-owned store or cooperative. There are, in Murano, along the main canal, too, places where the beautiful pieces are made right there on site, in the back, or where each item is labeled with the individual artist's name. I'd favor these. As the Italians are fond of saying, "Be careful. It could be from CHEENA (that's China, with the Italian pronunciation of the I!). Now to me, there's nothing wrong with glass from China...but it shouldn't be labeled Italian, and sold as Italian in Italy. But it is. Caveat emptor.
