DonT - on that subject, the fodorite friends that I had dinner with said that an italian friend of theirs who is a bank manager on Burano has lunch at one of the most famous restaurants on the island every day for less than €10; the price for the tourists is approx 3x that.

In my local town in Cornwall, I get a 10% discount at the sandwich bar because I work locally.

Well, yes of course annhig -- benvenuta in Italia. The local discount, applied one way or another, is always going to apply pretty much wherever one travels as well as in one's own backyard.

I took 8 or 10 trips to Varese on business several years ago, and I learned a fair bit about how things work from my Italian colleagues. My favorite comment was from a guy who ran a small shoe store and said he kept 3 sets of books: one set for his accountant, one set for his wife, and one set so that he'd know just how much money was actually coming in and going out.

There's no way that the playing field will be the same for everyone, but, unlike sandralist, I see no reason for foreigners not to apply the same unwritten rules that virtually all Italians do.

I have bought glass from the Moretti showroom, that Ann referenced above. You can obtain the paperwork for claiming the GST / VAT refund when you make the purchase, but you need to have your passport with you when you make the purchase.

Moretti glass is lovely. Prices, well, not so lovely. But like most things in this life, you get what you pay for.

You will see signs in the Italian glass shops pleading you not buy Chinese glass knockoffs. The competition is really hurting the glass trade in Murano and Burano. It is quite difficult to tell the difference between a piece made by a master in Italy and one churned out by a workman earning a few bucks a day in Peking. The fakes are very good in some cases, and I have heard that some Italian dealers slip the Chinese stuff into their stock. Dealing with a high end studio in most Italian cities should protect you, but if you are just shopping for a vase to decorate your shelf, and you like the looks of a Chinese piece -- why not?

BTW, my wife is a glass artist here in the Pacific Northwest, so we know the business. She used to make stained glass lamps, but it would be silly to do so now with the Chinese churning out Tiffany reproductions that sell in Walmart for a pittance. The made by hand art glass alone needed to do a proper lamp would cost twice or three times the cost of a copy from China. We can tell the knockoffs at a glance, but almost no one else can, so if it looks good in your home, buy it. The only way a glass artist can make a living today is to do serious and unique art pieces that would be difficult if not impossible to duplicate. Either that or to be one hell of a salesman like Dale Chihuly.

<i><font color=#555555>"You will see signs in the Italian glass shops pleading you not buy Chinese glass knockoffs."</font></i>

I haven't seen those signs where I shop. A lot depends on what style of glass you're seeking, what type of shop you're visiting, and the price-points of the merchandise. Venice offers a ton of junk stores. IMO, there are very few shops that sell gorgeous, stunning glass works of art.

<i><font color=#555555>"It is quite difficult to tell the difference between a piece made by a master in Italy and one churned out by a workman earning a few bucks a day in Peking."</font></i>

I completely disagree with this statement. Smart shoppers know exactly what to look for.

Modern design style is easier to copy. I've never seen a serious attempt by the Chinese to create a 1st Century design style and pass it off as true Venetian made.

Furthermore, original Murano-made glass can be trademarked. Simply look for the trademark label, which guarantees authenticity:

http://www.muranoglass.com/en/#.VP-0WWZts_9

So, here you are in Venice and there's this beautiful piece of glass and it ends up having been made IN ASIA! What do you do? Do you like it? Is it as good as Venetian glass and perhaps (gasp!) actually better? What a big decision that would be.

Nuke...I agree, Dale is a master. But his talents and influence are honored worldwide. I recenty came across an internet article that claimed Chihuly died, Hope that's not true!

Stu...sorry for hijack Laurie!

Well if Dale Chihuly died, Tower, it must have been very recently. I spoke with him at the Pilchuck Auction in late October, where my wife sold a piece. True, he is showing his age a bit and I didn't see him walk around much, but if he died since then it would have been all over the Seattle papers, I'm quite sure.

NYFoodie, I was talking about your average decorative glass buyer, not the knowledgeable glass art collector when I said it is hard for them to discern the difference. I also agree that it would be difficult to copy the distinctive style of a Chihuly or a Lino Tagliapietra, but it certainly could be done with enough skill to take in many people. As far as the "Trademark"; that's even easier to fake. How many Tiffany's do you have to turn over before you find the real deal? Some of those Gucci handbags on the street look pretty real, as well. If there is enough money in it, people will try.

BTW, if you would like to see the kind of stuff DW turns out you can look at her website. It's not advertising, just some pictures some of the things she has done over the years. http://www.lumenaeries.com/index.html

Nukesafe - those pieces are lovely - it must be heartbreaking to see them being "knocked off" for a pittance.

When I was in Vegas 10 years ago I stayed at Flamingo, but every morning I would walk over to Bellagio just to stare with open mouth at the gorgeous Dale Chihuly ceiling in the lobby!

That ceiling is almost as breathtaking as the Grand Canyon!

For Venice:

If you really love glass and china, you should check out the dining room on display at Palazzo Querini Stampalia in Campo Santa Maria Formosa.

Thin

<i><font color=#555555>"I was talking about your average decorative glass buyer"</font></i>

The "average" glass buyer in Venice is nothing more than a tourist looking to take home a souvenir. Average shoppers don't care about quality, artistic integrity, or even authenticity. Do they even belong in this discussion? Is someone assuming the OP is an "average" shopper? All average shoppers care about is price, and no matter where a tourist visits, the Chinese will satisfy them and their shopping needs.

There are hundreds, perhaps a thousand stores in Venice selling cheap glass stuff made in China. The crap all looks the same. This isn't anything new. Many have been there for as long as I've been visiting Venice.

You don't need to be an "art collector" to possess the desire to own a piece of authentic Murano glass. You just need to do a little homework, and you'll find your way to owning something authentic and special.

<i><font color=#555555>"I also agree that it would be difficult to copy the distinctive style of a Chihuly or a Lino Tagliapietra, but it certainly could be done with enough skill to take in many people."</font></i>

IMO, modern design is modern design, no matter how distinctive. Modern is easier to fake than old-world traditional. I'm not a big fan of modern design, but if that's the style you want, there are several known names that a customer can rely on.

Like I said, glass is a matter of personal taste. If someone bought me a Chihuly as a gift, I would immediately turn around and sell it on eBay. I prefer the more traditional style of Davide Fuin, and I have never encountered someone in China trying to sell something in Venice using Davide's stamp. The Venetian shopkeepers have their way of checking on the competition. I'm confident that if some Chinese merchant is breaking the law, an outcry will soon follow.

<i><font color=#555555>"As far as the "Trademark"; that's even easier to fake."</font></i>

Such cynicism doesn't surprise me. I guess forgeries have been around since the beginning of time. In some corners, they still exist. Again, if a Chinese merchant is caught selling glass with a forged trademark stamp, I have a feeling his shop won't last very long in Venice.

Again, smart shoppers know how to shop for quality and authenticity. I never know what to say about the not-so-smart shoppers. To each his own, I guess.

And thus begets a new term, <b>glass-bloviating</b>

Very well turned phrase, and apt as well, Don!

This has been very interesting! And Don, love that phrase.

I fall into the "You don't need to be an "art collector" to possess the desire to own a piece of authentic Murano glass" category. I do want something authentic but I cannot spend thousands on it, nor would I want to since I'm not an art collector. Hundreds yes, so hopefully I can get something I like without going into debt!

I collect glass (have for the past 30 years) and have bought glass from Pauly and Venini as well. Unfortunately for the consumer, the price of glass has increased dramatically in the past thirty years!

The main probleme to buy Murano glass artworks is the authentication and the delivery of the artglass, as it is not possible to care it on plain and so. Moreover many shops are unknown, and when you will be back home they will just not answer you with any guarantee and support.
I suggest you to buy at Original Murano Glass s.n.c. OMG™ Official Shop to find the best original Murano artworks, certification and perfect customer service, pre and after purchaise. They have a nice fisical shop where to see glass blowing demostration and they have professional online store to contact with excellent customer service and reviews, this is important for after purchaise support and guarantee of what you buy, they also give free service of certification of Murano art.