| Glassware has been an important facets of our | | | | Tiffany glass is another glassware maker that has |
| lives for centuries. We use them for dining, | | | | endured the test of time. Founded by Louis |
| entertaining or as beatific forms of decorations. | | | | Comfort Tiffany, he created highly-dramatic |
| Glassware manufacturers have over the years, | | | | glassware in his studio from 1878 to 1933. |
| created glassware as both functional and | | | | Tiffany's head designer, Clara Driscoll, |
| decorative. Let us look at some of the most | | | | manufactured the coveted leaded glass Tifanny |
| famous glassware makers, of designs have been | | | | lamps from 1909. Both Louis and Clare are |
| highly praised and prized. | | | | heralded as America's most famous glass artists |
| Murano glass is synonym with elegance and | | | | of all time. |
| refinement. The Venetian island of Murano, | | | | Tiffany was and still is famous for its opalescent |
| situated off shore of Venice, Italy has been | | | | glass and Favrile glass created in 1880. Favrile was |
| producing high-quality glassware for centuries. In | | | | taken from the French term 'fabrile', meaning |
| present times, Murano is still the number one | | | | handcrafted. Ring mottle glass, invented in the |
| destination for those who appreciate and collect | | | | early 20th century, was also another Tiffany |
| high-end glassware and jewelry. | | | | trademark, although this glass art form was |
| In the 9th century Rome, glassmaking in Murano, | | | | forgotten when the Tiffany studios was closed in |
| influenced heavily by both Asian and Muslim | | | | 1928. The art was revived in the late 1960s by |
| heritage, began to take effect. Glassmakers were | | | | Eric Lovell of Uroboros Glass. |
| re-located to the island of Murano in 1291 because | | | | Another famous glassware contender would have |
| of fire threats. Till today, Murano glass is still very | | | | to be Waterford Crystal, the makers of crystal |
| much interwoven with Venetian glass. At the | | | | glassware in Waterford, Ireland. Waterford Crystal |
| culmination of the 16th century, more than seven | | | | moved its flagship factories to Germany and |
| thousand of the island's citizens were very much | | | | Czech Republic after the factory in Ireland was |
| ensconced in the glassmaking industry, making | | | | shut down after the Waterford Wedgwood |
| them the island's most prominent inhabitants. | | | | Receivership in 2009. |
| They are however, forbidden from leaving the | | | | Waterford Crystal began its history in 1783 by |
| Republic, although they enjoyed many perks such | | | | George and William Penrose, who created |
| as persecution. Many of their daughters also | | | | exquisite flint glass renowned the world over. |
| married into Venice's most affluent families. | | | | Although the factory closed its doors in 1851, the |
| The glassmakers of Murano redefined numerous | | | | art was continued by Charles Bacik, and with the |
| technologies on enamelled, crystalline, aventurine | | | | help of designer friend Miroslav Havel, the |
| and multi-colored glass. Through them, glassware | | | | Company continued the legacy of making crystal |
| was embellished with glass gemstones and | | | | glassware. The Irish Glass Bottle Company took |
| threads of gold. The glassware artists of Murano, | | | | over in the early 50s. |
| over the centuries, and to this day, utilize age-old | | | | Famous designer Jasper Conran began creating a |
| techniques to produce exquisite chandeliers, wine | | | | signature range for Waterford Crystal and |
| stoppers, elegant figurines and art glass of breath | | | | Wedgwood in 1999. |
| taking proportions. | | | | |