Venetian Glass – The history with detective twist

Glass making developed as a trade in the 8th century in Venice. In those times Venice was a separate state located on the crossroads between Europe and Middle East. Venetian merchants were famous not only for their trading skills but also for their ability to get the secrets of craftsmen of the countries they visited and use them in their own production. In medieval times glass making became one of the fastest growing industries. By 13th century there were a lot of small shops making colored and clear glass in Venice. Due to the nature of the production the shops caused frequent fires that severely damaged the city, so it was decided to move all the shops to the island of Murano – 1,5 km from Venice. This step also helped to keep the secrets of the glass making quite safe. The masters of Murano glass received a lot of privileges from Doge Tiepolo in 1291. The island of Murano was declared a true and proper industrial area and soon became the capital of glass production in the world. By 15th century the fame of Murano glass is spreading all over Europe – kings, dukes, princes – all want to have the objects made by famous artists. At the same time a lot of European manufacturers are dreaming about getting the secrets of Venetian craftsmen. The Minister of Louis XIY Colbert had succeeded in bribing of three artists from Murano, who new how to make famous Venetian mirrors. Those times mirrors (they were called Magic Glass) were so precious that the price of one mirror could exceed the price of a Rafael’s picture. However neither French nor Austrian manufacturers never got the secrets of colored glass making.

Unfortunately, Venetian glassmaking traditions started to decline in 17th century. European map had changed, new French, Czech, Austrian schools created new fashion on crystal and glass, and Murano craftsmen were not unique any more. The real tragedy occurred in 1806, when Napoleon ordered his troops to destroy all glass shops in Murano. Then Venice became the part of Austro-Hungarian Empire, and only in 19th century brothers Toso opened the first glass shop after almost 200 years of stagnation of glass making industry in Italy. This glass manufacturer exists by nowadays and is one of the most famous producers of Venetian glass in the world.
Soon Murano island saw the opening of many glass shops that became legends nowadays: Barovier, Francesco Ferro & Figlio, Venini.

Nowadays we witness the resurrection of the popularity of Murano glass in the world. The unique nature of traditions in design and craftsmanship make each glass object made by Murano artists a one-of-a-kind “piece of art”.

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