A museum in the Hakone region of Japan (a few hours from Tokyo) houses some of the most interesting Venetian glass decorations and lighting. The Venetian Glass Museum or Hakone Glass Forest as it is called is a great way to see Murano glass and crystal in all its glory because unlike a typical museum, a portion of the exhibits start outside, where the trees at the entrance are adorned with Murano. crystals; some clear, some in beautiful rich colors. These glass-filled trees line the museum’s courtyard.
The museum itself contains some very exquisite Murano glass chandeliers dating back to the 18th century. The rooms of period pieces are filled with ornate crystal chandeliers: a different kind of viewing experience for lovers of Murano glass, a Venetian production style that dates back hundreds of years.
Murano glass dates back to the 13th century, when Venetian glassmakers were banned from the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon. Part of this was based on safety to ensure that the hot fires needed to make glass did not burn Venice, but another reason was to keep the knowledge of the trade secret and specific to the area. Murano glassmakers (at the time) were prohibited from sharing their trade secrets with foreigners nor were they allowed to leave the island, a crime punishable by death. Venetian glassmakers were the leaders in glassmaking throughout the Middle Ages, until the 19th and 20th centuries, when they were eventually overshadowed by Bohemian and English glassmakers.
Murano glass is still famous throughout the world. Murano glassmakers work the same way they did hundreds of years ago, but it is now possible to find much more affordable Murano reproductions.