Filigrana glass
Filigrana glass is blown glass made with clear, white and sometimes coloured canes. The Corning Museum of Glass states that the style originated on Murano in the sixteenth century and spread to other European areas producing Venetian style glass.
Canes within the glass
The canes may run parallel, twist or cross in more complex patterns. The decoration forms part of the glass wall and is not painted on the surface. Latticino is an older name formerly used for filigrana, but the museum glass dictionary now discourages it as a technical term.
Identification
Observe how the lines continue through the form and around the pontil, rim and joins. Moulded or painted stripes can imitate the appearance. The technique alone proves neither Murano origin, maker nor age because filigrana was produced in several places and revived in modern times. Assess form, glass body, wear, signature and documented provenance together.
Sources
Corning Museum of Glass: Filigrana; Corning Museum of Glass: Latticino.
