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in glass, most notably a particular type of translucent, colorless glass that would come to
be called
cristallo
. Even though technically the glass he created is not lead crystal, which
would be developed later, Barovier's translucent glass was considered a novelty at the time.
Barovier is also mentioned in connection with milk glass, a pure white glass that became
popular because it resembled Chinese porcelain. In the 1870s, a family bearing Barovier's
name opened a new glassworks on Murano.
The Toso family—Pietro Toso and six sons—founded a furnace on Murano in 1854 and
it is now the longest-running glassmaking family on Murano. Today, Barovier & Toso has
made a name for itself in the lighting industry, crafting traditional Venetian chandeliers as
well as more modern creations. Barovier & Toso has also distinguished itself by offering
glass vessels signed by Murano master glassmakers and internationally famous fashion de-
signers.
Ferro
The Ferro family name has been documented on Murano for nearly five hundred years.
Today the Ferro family specializes in the production of glass lamps, painstakingly reprodu-
cing styles of lighting that decorated some of the Veneto's most prestigious
palazzi
. Each
lamp takes its name from the palace that the original came from; some of its more distinct-
ive lamps are in the shape of flowers, candles, and even human figures.
Moretti
Vincenzo Moretti and his sons founded a furnace on Murano in 1900 and enjoyed quick
success. Works of the Moretti family are displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New
York and London's Victoria and Albert Museum. The Murano showroom features elegant
stemware at steep prices.
Pauly
Founded in 1902, Pauly operates several highly visible glass showrooms in Venice, where
it's hard to miss their opulent chandelier displays. In addition to their furnace on Murano,
look for their showroom in the Piazza San Marco.
Seguso
Seguso traces its glassmaking roots back to 1300, when the Seguso family is noted in his-
torical documents from Murano. The current business was established in the 1930s. Today,
Seguso still stands alongside Venini and Barovier & Toso as one of Murano's most es-
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