The History of Murano Glass Jewellery
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A Little History of Murano Glass
Murano glass jewellery, mirrors and sculpture, according to historians began its life in Rome. Indeed glass furnaces have been discovered in Venice dating back to the 8th century. Venice is documented by the 1200s to be emerging as a significant glass manufacturer providing the citys largest industry. Crafting a large collection of glass objects from sculpture to Jewellery.
The glass produced in Venice and Murano island is very much interwoven.
In 1291 all Venices furnaces were moved to the island of Murano, for fear that the wooden buildings of Venice were at risk of fire and destruction. It was then that its world renowned reputation as a unique centre for glass making was born.
Shrouded in secrecy lest the world would discover their unique talents, these gifted artisans were afforded many privilages including immunity from prosecution, and a long summer break from work in what must have been unbearably hot furnaces.
The glass makers daughters were allowed to marry into affluent Venetian families, giving them much improved social status.
In exchange for these rewards glassmakers were not allowed to leave the republic of Murano, or reveal the secrets of their trade. Leaving the lagoon meant risk of death or having their hands cut off.
These gifted and reverred artists developed their talents and refined the techniques of glass blowing and jewellery making. Creating the most crystal clear glass in the world that was often decorated with pure gold and silver leaf as well as copper inclusions.
By the 1600s Venice had become one of the most powerful cities in Europe and indeed the world, renowned for its maritime power, its silk and spice trade. As well as its talent for producing the most beautiful glass, this came to be an intrisict part of its rise to being a dominant trading island in the adriactic.
Wealthy merchants built huge palaces along the Grand Canal in Venice, that go together with the history of its rich and exravagant lifestyle.
Murano Glass Today
There are many well known and renowed glass makers still on the island of Murano today and you can visit by boat or vaperetto (water bus). The oldest glass factory on Murano founded in 1854 is the Antica Vetreria Fratelli Toso.
They have beautifully crafted modern artworks, chandeliers and jewellery for sale in their showrooms attached to the factories.
As well as these many individuals on the isalnds of Venice are crafting fabulous glass objects, jewellery and beads, of course today there are no privileges afforded to them nor are there any of the restrictions.
You can find these artists while you are wandering through the little alleyways and back streets of Venice, and some you can watch working with molten glass. Creating mant indiviual pieces of jewellery, beaded necklaces, bacelets and earrings.