Since it was first produced in the mid-1800s, Venetian glass has been popular for its fanciful shapes, remarkable clarity, sumptuous colours and unusual patterns. Its artists were virtuosi, and the works themselves, among which are goblets, vases, decanters and chandeliers, are extraordinary for their beauty and technical perfection. Incorporating 100 colour photographs of some of the finest pieces ever created, this is a survey of Venetian glass of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The author also describes the political battles, intrigues and financial entanglements that surrounded their production, including the near-imprisonment of glass artisans on the tiny island of Murano. This forced seclusion ensured that Venetian glassmaking techniques remain closely guarded, even to this day.