From Venice to Murano: Finding the Real Artists Behind the Glass

Venice is filled with beautiful glass, but not all of it is what it claims to be. With so many imported, fake and counterfeit pieces being sold across the city, I wanted to get away from the tourist traps and find the genuine artists keeping this incredible tradition alive.

I travelled from Venice to Murano, with a stop in Burano, to source authentic art glass directly from the people who create it. Along the way, I discovered three very different sides of Venetian glassmaking.

Roberta Piga at El Bon Bon Murano

My visit to El Bon Bon was a completely chance discovery. I stumbled across Roberta Piga’s little shop while exploring Murano and immediately knew I had found somewhere special.

Roberta creates her miniature glass pieces by hand using a torch, and you can actually watch her working inside the shop. Her creations include tiny glass animals, Christmas trees, Santa ornaments and other miniature surprises. These are delicate, characterful pieces made by the artist sitting directly in front of you, not mass-produced souvenirs with questionable origins.

Roberta’s trademark creation is the little glass pig, inspired by her surname, Piga. While I was browsing, she kindly made and gifted me my own miniature pink pig. It was a lovely and completely unexpected gesture that made meeting her even more memorable.

Her daughter also works at the shop, giving El Bon Bon the warm feeling of a small family business rather than simply another souvenir store.

Roberta is not currently on Facebook or Instagram. I did try to persuade her, but until then, you have me to seek out these little gems and bring them back for you.

If you ever find yourself on Murano, make sure you visit El Bon Bon and say hello.

Artistico BomBon in Burano

My next discovery was Artistico BomBon on the colourful island of Burano.

The atelier has been producing handmade Murano glass since 1992, with skills passed from father to son. That family connection is reflected in the work. This is not anonymous production. It is glass created by people who have learned the craft through years of experience and from the generation before them.

Artistico BomBon is known for small, colourful glass treasures, including beautifully formed fruits, sweets and decorative pieces. The work is playful, bright and full of the same personality that makes Burano such a special place.

Meeting the people behind the pieces made a huge difference. I was not simply choosing items from a shelf. I was learning where they came from, who made them and how the craft has been kept alive.

Yalos Murano

Yalos showed me another side of Murano glass production.

While Roberta and Artistico BomBon create smaller handmade treasures, Yalos works on a larger scale, producing substantial decorative and functional art glass. Its collections include vases, bowls, centrepieces and tableware, all handmade in Murano.

The factory combines traditional glassmaking with bold, contemporary design. The shapes, colours and finishes feel modern, but the work remains rooted in the techniques and knowledge that have made Murano famous around the world.

Visiting Yalos gave me a greater appreciation for the amount of skill and coordination involved in producing these larger pieces. It was amazing to see how a genuine Murano factory can preserve traditional craftsmanship while creating glass suited to contemporary homes and collectors.

I Went to Source, and I Got the Goods

This journey was about much more than buying stock.

I went to source genuine Venetian art glass, and I definitely got the goods. More importantly, I met the real people behind the work, learned more about their craft and made some amazing connections.

It has also given me the perfect excuse to return.

The pieces I sourced will soon be available through my Whatnot store and featured in upcoming live shows:

https://whatnot.com/invite/thriftworxusa

Exclusive Joe Tilson Test Samples

There is also something particularly exciting to look out for.

I purchased the remaining stock of exclusive test sample pieces connected to the late British artist Joe Tilson’s installation at the Ausonia Hungaria hotel on Venice Lido.

Tilson was one of the leading figures in British Pop Art. His striking hotel façade brought contemporary art together with traditional Murano glass, using individually produced glass elements to create a huge artwork across the building.

These test samples offer a fascinating connection to that project and to the process behind creating such an ambitious installation. They are unusual pieces with a genuine story, and once the remaining stock is gone, there will be no more.

In a city where it can be difficult to separate genuine local craftsmanship from imported imitations, it was refreshing to meet the people who are still creating the real thing.

Every piece has a maker, a place and a story. I cannot wait to share them with you.