I Vetri d'Arte di Vittorio Costantini

I have two of Vittorio's birds. The visit to the workshop is extraordinary, well worth the time. I recently saw some of his sea creatures in an exhibit at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, USA.

Twenty years ago during my honeymoon... after coming back from a tour of the island of Murano, my wife and I walked down a narrow road trying to find our way back to our hotel. Not paying any mind, when from the corner of my eyes I saw something unusual. My mind tried to process it quickly, but made no sense of what I might have seen. I said to my wife, "were there sealife and insects in the window?" I walked backwards a few steps... I turned and moved toward the store. My eyes were fully "open!" There was no trickery from my mind. All I subconsciously glanced at from the corner of my eyes were in fact real! GLASS sealife, insects... they looked absolutely REAL to us. They looked like they could start moving from their suspended animation at any moment! I tend to get emotional when I see great art or talent... All of a sudden I felt disappointment and a bit of anger! We traveled to Murano by boat thinking we were going to see the master glassmaking, famous the world over. That is where all the masters ought to be. We saw glass foundries making vases and lamps and ashtrays. Instead, after getting off the boat from Murano, we found Vittorio Costantini, along with his wife, in his shop creating amazing glass works of art. Why and how did we discover him? It was from the grace of God I Say. We took a picture with him and purchased a glass fish for my mother who is a glass collector. The fish is her most prized piece! Vittorio Costantini was so gracious and humble, though his skills far surpassed anyone from the island of Murano in my opinion. Being an artist myself, I know that being dextrous is not enough to make an artist... it takes creativity and an eye for beauty. If there is a title above grandmaster, then that is what Vittorio Costantini is. When we were visiting his shop, watching him make glass masterpieces on the spot, he mentioned that some of the glass pieces were made by his son. I am not sure how old his son was at the time, but if the son followed his footsteps, the son would have learned from the most amazing master of glass that I would have witnessed. Thanks to technology you can watch Vittorio Costantini laughing, smiling and make his masterpieces on the internet. You have to go there! TRUELY INCREDIBLE!!!

We stayed in a hotel a few doors down from this place. We met Vittorio and his wife, and they were incredibly nice to talk to us and show us his work - he even brought out some "reject" pieces he had in the back and let us hold them! We purchased a bird and a fish from him, and they both made it back to the states fine thanks to the way they carefully wrapped the items! Totally worth a visit! :)

Amazingly realistic museum quality glass miniatures created by a master. I couldn't stop looking at everything over and over again. I am lucky to have found this place and see authentic Venetian glass. The Constantini's are such nice people as well.

Very much off the beaten path, but it is SO worth looking for it. Wonderful, wonderful artist. The birds are wonderful, the fishes even better, the insects unbelievable. Small workshop choke full of wonders, a child would go crazy in here. It was wonderful chatting with Mr and Ms Costantini, and I was so glad I went back after finding the shop closed the day before. The objects are very expensive, but you can see why. Light-years away from the cheap mediocrities that sadly fill most of Venice. If you like arts & crafts and especially if you like birds, fishes and insects, you must visit this place. Worth going even if you only plan to look at the wonderful objects. Thanks Mr Costantini for your work!

The pieces here are just extraordinary. You see a lot of glass art in Venice due to its proximity to Murano where they are known to make the best glass work, but this place is just incredible. The detail and color is top notch and there was a tree in the window that was just stunning. Yes it is pricey but still worth a window look even if you can't afford it.

Stumbled coincidentally across this shop. What a find! After seeing the artist at work and later that day browsing some YouTube videos, I traced my way back here and had the honor to buy two birds. Very friendly people. Gave me some extra time before closure to make up my mind (such a variety in birds and other animals). Price <<<<< quality. All prices were well advertised, but not all animals are for sale.

Before came in I was already shocked (in a good way) by the beautiful store windows...the insect and mushroom Sets are just such a virtual satisfaction, I am really impressed with how fein and vivd all the models are, it's a great art, it is really fabulous gorgeous work. This store/ studio is owned by a really nice couple, the sir is the glass master and always tries new ways making models, which it's very interesting to see and you can tell by watching all his tries and experiments that why all the models are expensive, because it took great time and effort and many times failures to finally have one perfect one. The lady is really friendly and is always willing to have a chat( italien/ english) with everyone that comes in. I just stepped in this studio by coincidence and this is the best coincidence during my short days in Venezia:)