The Gaia collection is a series of lighting spheres that reintroduce a classic Mid-century Murano technique known as Mezza Filigrana. This collection offers endless possibilities, allowing customers to create unlimited groupings or clusters, whether mixing different patterns or showcasing a single design.

This classic technique, once almost lost, is now revived with dedicated hardware. I created 9 different patterns using Murano filigrana in Lattimo white, Black, Amber, and Red.

The large glass sphere measures 35 cm (14 inches) and features contemporary hardware that highlights the pattern with a complete see-through design. It’s perfect for creating a cluster above a dining table or spaced out to illuminate an island. Placing it vertically in a staircase would also be stunning.

This particular piece features a sequence of five black and two Lattimo filigree canes, inspired by the works of Dino Martens, who loved these unusual sequences. I asked the Murano maestro to perform two complete ritorto spins (menà, in the Muranese dialect) on the mosaic of over 70 alternating canes, resulting in a perfect criss-crossed pattern.

The Gaia pattern is created by rolling glass over a parallel mosaic of Murano smalto filigree. Before blowing, the glass is spun twice, which transforms the straight canes into spirals. The tip is then cut with scissors, creating the see-through effect of a reticello. This finish is known as mezza filigrana, where “filigrana” refers to the reticello with the “grano” bubble inside the web.

The contemporary addition to this classic piece is the hardware. Made of solid brass, it houses an LED module manufactured in Italy, mounted on the inner surface of the hardware. The module provides 1000 lumens of output, is dimmable, and, crucially, has a CRI above 90 for perfect color rendering. The absence of a central socket and bulb allows the design pattern to be fully visible. The silk wire and UL-CE SELV driver fit seamlessly within the brass canopy.