Large Venetian mirror in Murano glass with flower and ribbon decorations

Italian mirror in romantic style. Italian work and design. Decorated with flowers and plant motifs. Mirror in very good condition. Circa 1940. Height 63 cm. Width 45 cm. Murano glass is famous throughout the world for its coloring and its particular elaboration and makes the reputation of Venetian glassware. Most of the important characteristics of objects in "Venetian glass" were developed in the 19th century. Towards the end of this century, the center of the Venetian glass industry was established on the island of Murano. Byzantine artisans play an important role in the development of Venetian glass. When Constantinople was sacked by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, some fleeing artisans emigrated to Venice. This scenario was repeated in 1453 when Constantinople was taken by the Ottomans, thus increasing the number of glass artisans. The Venetians then mastered the techniques of transparency, coloring and decoration of glass more and more.