Mauro & Franco & Jacopo Panizzi

Glass sculptor | Murano, Italy

A balance to step forwards

Franco, Mauro and Jacopo come from a long tradition of glassmakers
Their styles and personalities are different, but they share a common vision for their pieces
They combine quality with attention to detail

In 1985, Franco and Mauro Panizzi became partners in their firm which specialised in the artistic grinding and etching of Bohemia-type glass and crystal. The company was first established in 1960 by their father Eugenio. Since then, the two brothers have breathed new life into the business with innovative projects that have brought about change and novelty to some of their ranges. In 1994, they installed melting furnaces and specialised in glass design, crafting one-off items that stood out from Murano's more conventional products. Mauro and Franco combine traditional methods with grinding, beating, fusing and sandblasting techniques, striking a balance between established taste and modern design. They work with renowned Murano glassworks and internationally renowned artists and designers. In 2019, Jacopo, Franco's son, joined the firm, a promise of continuity and renewal of a long-established tradition.

Interview

©SusannaPozzoli

How important is the family in your business?: Franco: It is a family project. It is a legacy to be passed on. One of the goals of our business is to hand down our craftsmanship expertise. We hope that the generational transition taking place will be underpinned by skill, determination and a passion to safeguard our craft.
What do you love most about this material?: Jacopo: How easy it was to begin. I started with lampwork, but in actual fact it takes 10 to 15 years to get a real understanding of glass. It turns out there is nothing easy about it. Franco and Mauro: We work the glass with etching, beating and grinding techniques. We are fascinated by the malleable, tactile result.
What contribution do you each make?: Franco: My brother and I know how to do the same things and we seek the edge in craftsmanship techniques. My son Jacopo is just starting out. He is dedicated to lampwork, design and carrying out feasibility studies with designers. Jacopo brings the innovation.
What are the challenges of your work?: Mauro: When you make a mistake, you cannot fix it. There is no going back. You have to know where you start and where you end, and always stay focused. To have a clear direction in your work, you need experience and technique.

Mauro & Franco & Jacopo Panizzi are master artisans: they began their career in 1960 and they started teaching in 2010