People who had the time and the inclination have been collecting glassware of all kinds since the craft was first invented over 3,500 years ago. In the United States, the hobby took off in the early 1900s, and people collected, and continue to collect, hand painted glassware of the modern day or classic antique pieces. Fun, whimsical art on glassware has always been popular. (Well, whimsical art is popular regardless of on what medium it is bestowed! Poker-playing dogs, anyone?)

Practically every modern museum you visit has displays of glass, from the Chrysler Museum, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Toledo Museum of Art. The Corning Museum of Glass, in Corning, NY, has the world’s largest collection of glass art, with more than 45,000 objects in its collection which runs the entire 3,500 gamut of glass history.

One of the most famous types of hand-painted glassware is that created in Murano, Italy. Glassmakers have worked there since almost the 9th century. Since it was a highly skilled craft, and one which was kept secret and jealously guarded by glass-making guilds, the glassmakers invariably prospered. By the 14th century, these glassmakers were prominent citizens. They were allowed to wear swords (a privelege not granted the common folk), had immunity from prosecution by the Venetian state. Their daughters were ecen able to marry into Venice’s most affluent families. Today, Murano’s rich tradition of glassmaking continues.

Hand painted glassware is easy to collect. Just choose the style of art you like, and collect away. Artists can paint anything on glassware, from abstract designs to realistic replicas of famous paintings. Whimsical art, from the painting of glorious fireworks to holes of golf to a birthday cake can brighten any home.