History of Murano

Author: glassofvenice

The Origins
The origins of glassmaking in Venice dates back to Roman times, when molded glass is used for lighting bathhouses. Combining the Roman experience with the skills learned in the Byzantine Empire and trade with the Orient, Venice emerged as a major center for manufacturing glass and in the 8th century. One of the first glass furnaces of a Venetian island, dating from the 8th century, was discovered by archaeologists in 1960.

By late 1200, the production of glass objects from the highest quality are important industry of the city, as confirmed the creation of the Guild of glass manufacturers that set the rules and regulations for the artisans. The aim of the guild was to safeguard trade secrets and ensure the profitability of the industry. In line with these objectives, the 1271 law prohibiting imports of foreign glass or the employment of foreign glassmakers.

An even more radical of the law was passed in 1291 which laid the groundwork for the establishment of a Murano glass, a leading manufacturing center. This law requires that moves all the furnaces used to manufacture glass from Venice to Murano to avoid the risk of fire diffusion furnaces wooden structures in much of Venice overpopulated. Many historians agree that the real reason for this law was isolated from the glass artisans to where it would not be able to reveal trade secrets. A law later approved in 1295 prohibits manufacturers of glass out of the city confirms this theory.

Artisans working in the trade of glass were well rewarded for their efforts. They had a privileged social status, and his daughters were allowed to marry the richest and noblest families of Venice. For the intelligent application of this approach, the Venetian government to ensure that the glass manufacturers encouraged their children to do the trade and that trade secrets remained in families and fed the creative processes that lead to innovation and greater success. This, together with the location of Venice, at the crossroads of trade between East and West, gave the monopoly power of Venice in the manufacture and sale of quality glass throughout Europe that lasted centuries.

Centuries 15 and 16 and the glass flower
Venetian glass was at the height of his popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 15th century, the teacher discovered the process Angelo Barovier production of clear glass - (cristallo) - which allows manufacturers of Murano glass to become the only producer of mirrors in Europe. Moreover, the popularity of Chinese porcelain, among the European nobility-driven discovery and production of imitation porcelain white glass (lattimo).

Other types manufacturing techniques of glass became popular as the gold enamel and glass, which originated in the Middle East, filigree glass, which is performed using rods wires inside glass with white glass, gold or color that are twisted or crossed, and the ice crystal is finely crackled. Variety of shapes and colors increased, and the glassware became more sophisticated but the beauty is still viewed as a simplicity of form and ornament.

Century 17 slow decline of Venetian glass
From the 17th century, Murano glass entered the period of gradual decrease. As Venetian power grip on the trade routes and its importance as a major trading center began to disappear, so did its monopoly power in glass manufacturing. New centers of the craft emerged in Bohemia, England and France. However, 17th century continued to see innovation in Murano glass, new techniques continued rising trend driven by strong baroque that propagate through the European architecture, painting, interior decoration and other works of art and craft forms.

Brightly colored glass ornaments with intricate floral motifs and animals became popular. Among the new techniques of glass avventurina (specks of metal embedded in glass for a bright eyes) and Chalcedon (illusion of semi-precious stones), raised decoration of glass, and millefiori beads. These new techniques were so successful that even ordered the royal courts of the artisans of Murano glass. An example is King Frederick IV of Denmark, who in the early 17th century bought a collection of glass that is currently on display at Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen.

18th Centuries and19th - The Fall and Rise
In the nineteenth 18, the decline continued and was aggravated by the worsening political climate and growing competition from manufacturers of glass in Bohemia and France. Some new techniques were introduced, like the engraving on glass and mirrors, but made visible impact. The industry slashed with Napoleon's conquest of Venice in 1797 and abolition of all trades Venice, including manufacturers of glass.

In 1814, the Venice of France transfer to the Hapsburg Empire writing the death sentence final glassmaking in Murano, the Habsburgs preferred to its center of glassmaking native of Bohemia and the laws passed making it prohibitively expensive to bring the materials necessary raw in Murano and export the finished product. As a result, nearly half of the 24 furnaces in Murano in 1800 were closed in 1820, and only 5 furnaces continued production of blown glass. However, against all odds, the industry has not entirely dead? is kept alive by the personal dedication of the artisans with their centuries of ancient art and hard work of the father who once made world famous Murano glass.

The breakthrough came in 1854 when six Toso Brothers opened the Fratelli Toso company initially produced household glassware and window glass, then changed to reviving forgotten techniques of the past. Five years later, Antonio Salviati arrived in Venice from Vicenza, where he held the right to open a factory dedicated to producing traditional Murano glass. He saw a opportunity to revive the art through the production of tiles that could be used to restore old Venetian mosaics, and hired the best masters of Murano, to work in his factory. One of his glass blowers, Lorenzo Radi, spent much time during the Austrian domination rediscover old methods and techniques used to create old Venetian mosaics.

Salviati plan worked, and the authorities in Venice soon signed a contract for fifteen years with his company for the restoration of the mosaics of St. Mark 's Basilica. In the same period in 1861, the mayor of Venice, Antonio abbot Vincenzo Zanetti Colleoni and decided to compile an archive dedicated to the history of Venice not only writing but also contains several objects of art produced in the city. Meeting of interest for file objects caused renewed Venetian history, its past glory, and famous as the craft of glassmaking. This in turn led to the creation of staff a school for glass manufacturers where they were able to relearn the forgotten techniques and secrets of the craft.

The culminating event in the reactivation of Murano glass blowing exhibition was created by the Archive in 1864 to show all recent glassworks and rekindle the spirit of competition among artisans. On the heels of the exposure of other international programs were as successful Exhibition in Paris in 1867 where Salviati exhibited more 500 works made by his company and received international acclaim and numerous medals. This success and the advertising to complete reactivation of Murano, which once again became a booming economic center, which employs 3,500 people in 1869, and a famous destination.

20th Century - New identity and Murano Glass Art
In the early 20th century, the master glassmakers of Murano were still in love with the reproduction of the Classical and rediscovery of ancient techniques, which was evident in Murano and Venice Exhibition choosing glass and glass objects made in 1895 in Murano Hall. The rules dictated that the exhibition of reproductions of works was old glassware. This important event was well attended by international collectors and fans who had appreciated glass works in Murano single rooted tradition.

The best works by artists of Murano were on display, many were the product of a manufacturing technique called Murrina important glass (mosaic), which was rediscovered in the late 19th century by Vittorio Zuffi while working for Fratelli Toso. This technique initially emerged in the 16th century in an effort to imitate the ancient Roman glasses. Artisti Barovier Murano famous company received the Diploma and the gold medal. Other artists in Murano is popular at the time were Salviati, Testolini, and Toso brothers (Fratelli Toso).

1895 was also the time of the first Venice Biennale exhibition, which had been presented new works by avant-garde art and art nouveau. This highlighted the gap between modern trends gaining strength in Europe at the time and the works of Murano glass that were deeply linked to the styles and methods of the past. This gap became even more evident in the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900, followed Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Turin in 1902 and Milan in 1906. Some artisans Murano, like Vittorio Toso Borella, became receptive to the new winds blowing in the art scene and began to produce works of art in nouveaustyle. Although originally had mixed reviews for works exhibited at Ca 'Pesaro in 1909, Vittorio went on to produce works of art that later became universally appreciated. Ca 'Pesaro, unlike Venice Biennale, became an exhibition that covers the new artistic trends and style show many works by young art vouveau artists like Gino Rossi, Arturo Martini, and Guido Marussig. One of the artists, Vittorio Zecchin, collaborated extensively with Artisti Barovier to create designs for their glassware famous.

In the 1920s, art nouveau gradually replaced by more modern styles with functional designs simpler, cleaner, and more. Art Deco took center stage and with him came less decorated with soft lines and focus more on glassware as part of design interior, not a work of art in itself. A new company, Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Capellín Venini, founded in 1921 by Vittorio Zecchin and became its chief designer the champion of this style.

A little later in the decade from 1920 to early 1930, another important trend emerged in Murano directed by Maestri Vetrai Muranesi Vetreria Capellín & Co. and Art Barovier. The trend was glass animals, which remain popular today. Other important innovations defended in 1930 and continued in early 1940 were the production of glass statues of female nudes and classic figures of the boxers and the gods, the engraving on glass, modern lamps, perfectly proportioned transparent glassware, and the invention of sommerso vetro? a technique for producing glass articles thick with a color on the outside and one inside.

During World War II, the industry did not prosper, but as soon as they finished the War of the Murano glass masters returned to his art pieces created and deeply rooted in the interior design trends of the time with special attention to minimalism, functionality and simplicity. Supporting this trend, artists and artisans of Murano returned to the techniques of the past as murrina filigree and lattimo. From Murano that point was continued exploration of styles and techniques trying to find a balance between technical mastery and contour, color and decoration.

The result continued innovation led to a rise in popularity and numerous awards in various international art exhibitions. With such prominent artists as Archimede Seguso, Louis and Laura De Santillana, Tobia Scarpa, Ercole Barovier, Fulvio Bianconi, Zuccheri Toni Romano Chrivi, Giampaolo Martinuzzi, and Alfredo Barbini, Murano became once known as the glassblowing capital of the world. Murano art created trends instead of following in recent years.

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About the author: Jewels handmade Murano glass works of art imported directly from Venice, Italy. We Murano glass jewelry, accessories, vases, pendants, necklaces, rings, glass art, lamps and much more. Http: / / www.glassofvenice.com Visit

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