Murano glass Seguso Mazzega pendant lights and chandeliers

We’re all familiar with the gigantic extravagant Murano chandeliers from Italy. But maybe even more beautiful and subtile are the Venetian caged glass, Seguso pendant lights or Mazzega pendant lights. They have the same pure Italian craftsmanship of the glassblowers of Murano island. This combined with hand-forced metal or special glass blow techniques, these lamps create the most beautiful light patterns on the walls and ceilings.

Seguso Murano

There are many variaties in size, color and quality of these pendant lights. When you’re lucky and find a real Murano gem, the craftsmanship speaks for itself. The Venetian caged glass lamps are made with transparant and translucent glass. For some lanterns they use techniques like pressing the glass into a shape or (one technique I love the most) they twist the glass before it is blown into the cage. For example the ones made by the Seguso glass factory: Seguso Vetri D’Arte. The inspiration for the pattern of the twisted glass comes from the ripples on the water that surrounds the island of Murano.

In my research, I was able to trace this lighting back to the mid-1930s. The Seguso factory is still located in Venice and they also make stunning vases and glass sculptures. You can view their new products on their website.