Large Martini Glass
Murano Glass History
The origins
The origins of glassmaking in Venice go back to the times of Roman Empire when the glass molding is used for lighting bathhouses. Combining Roman experience with the skills learned in the Byzantine Empire and commerce with the East, Venice emerged as a major glassmaking center as early as the 8th century. One of the first glass furnaces on an island of Venice, dated 8th century, was discovered by archaeologists in 1960.
By late 1200, the production of glass objects from the best quality was the main industry City as confirmed by the establishment of the Brotherhood glass manufacturers that set the rules and regulations for the artisans. The aim of the guild was to safeguard the secrets trade and ensure the profitability of the industry. In line with these objectives, the 1271 law prohibiting imports of foreign glass or use of foreign glassmakers.
An even more radical law was passed in 1291 which laid the groundwork for the establishment of Murano, a major glassmaking center. This law requires that all the furnaces used in the manufacture of glass are moved from Venice to Murano, to avoid the risk of fire diffusion furnaces in most wooden structures of the crowded Venice. Many historians agree that the real reason for this law was to isolate the glass artisans a place where there would be capable of revealing trade secrets. A subsequent law passed in 1295 that prohibited manufacturers of glass out of the city confirms this theory.
The artisans who work in the trade of glass were well rewarded for their efforts. They had a privileged status, and their daughters were allowed to marry the richest and noblest families of Venice. Through the intelligent application of this approach, the Venetian government to ensure that the glass manufacturers encouraged their children to make the trade, and trade secrets in families stayed and fed the creative processes that lead to innovation and greater success. This, together with the location Festival at the crossroads of trade between East and West, Venice was the power of monopoly in the manufacture and sale of quality glass that lasted throughout Europe for centuries.
and 16th centuries 15 and the full flowering of the glass
Venetian glass came to the peak of his popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 15th century, the master Angelo Barovier discovered the process for the production of clear glass – (cristallo) – which allowed glassmakers Murano to become the only producer of mirrors in Europe. In addition, the popularity of Chinese porcelain, among the European nobility-driven discovery and production glass porcelain imitating white (lattimo).
Other types of manufacturing techniques of glass became popular as the enamelled and gilded glass which originated in the Middle East, filigree glass that makes use of interior glass rods with threads of white, gold or glass color that twist or cross, and glass ice which is finely crackled. Variety of shapes and colors more, and glassware became more sophisticated but still regarded as the beauty of simplicity forms and ornaments.
Century 17 and the slow decline of Venetian glass
From the 17th century, Murano glass into in the period of gradual decrease. As Venetian power grip on the trade routes and its importance as a major center of trade began to disappear, so made its monopoly power in the manufacture of glass. The new centers of the craft emerged in Bohemia, England and France. However, 17th century still saw innovation Murano glass, new techniques driven by continued strong baroque emerging trends that spread through the European architecture, painting, decorating interiors, and other art and craft forms.
Brightly colored glass ornaments with intricate floral and animal motifs became popular. The new techniques of glass including Avventurina (specks of metal embedded in glass for a look bright) and Chalcedon (illusion of semiprecious stones), raised decorations on glass beads and millefiori. These new techniques were so successful that even royal courts ordered glassware from Murano artisans. One example is King Frederick IV of Denmark, who in the early 17th century bought a collection of glass that is currently on display at the Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen.
And19th 18th centuries – The Fall and Rise of
In the 18th century, the continuing decline and was aggravated by the worsening political climate and growing competition from manufacturers of glass of Bohemia and France. Some new techniques were introduced, like the engraving on glass and mirrors, but did impact visible. The industry cut dramatically with Napoleon's conquest of Venice in 1797 and abolition of all guilds in Venice, including glass manufacturers.
In 1814 Venice transfer from France to the Hapsburg Empire written the definitive death sentence for the manufacture of Murano glass, the Habsburgs preferred its center of Bohemian glass making home and the laws passed making it prohibitively expensive to bring Murano necessary raw materials and export the final product. As a result, almost half of the 24 furnaces in Murano in 1800 were closed in 1820, and furnaces continued to produce only 5 blown glass. However, against all odds, industry did not die at all? is kept alive through the dedication of staff to his craft artisans of centuries-old and his father's hard work that once made the world famous Murano glass.
The breakthrough came in 1854 when six brothers Fratelli Toso Toso opened the firm initially produced household items glass window panes, but then switched to revive forgotten techniques of the past. Five years later, Antonio Salviati came to Venice to Vicenza, where he the right to open a factory dedicated to producing traditional Murano glass. He saw an opportunity to revive the art through the production of tiles that could be used to restore old Venetian mosaics, and hired the best teachers of Murano to work in his factory. One of his glass blowers, Lorenzo Radi, spent much time during Austrian rule rediscover old methods and techniques used to create old Venetian mosaics.
Salviati plan worked, Venetian authorities and soon signed a contract for fifteen years with his firm for the restoration of the mosaics of the Basilica of St. Mark s'. At the same time, in 1861, the mayor of Venice Antonio Colleoni and the abbot Vincenzo Zanetti decided to compile an archive dedicated to the history of Venice not only contains several letters, but also objects of art produced in the city. Meeting objects to the file caused renewed interest in the history of Venice, its past glory, crafts and famous including the manufacture of glass. This in turn caused the leaders to create a school for glass manufacturers in which they could re-learn techniques and forgotten secrets of the craft.
The event culminated in the relaunch of Murano blown glass was created by exposure File 1864 to show all recent glass works and revive the competitive spirit among artisans. On the heels of this exposure were other international shows, such successful as the World Exhibition in Paris in 1867 where Salviati exhibited over 500 works made by his company and received international acclaim and multiple medals. This success and the publicity led to complete reactivation of Murano, which once again became a booming economic center, employing 3,500 people in 1869, and a famous destination.
20th Century – New Identity and the Art of Murano Glass
In the early 20th century, glassmakers of Murano captain still love playing classic and rediscovering the ancient techniques, which was evident in Murano Election and Venice Exhibition of glass and glass objects staged in 1895 in Murano Hall. The rules of the exhibition that was issued reproductions of works antique glass objects. This important event was the presence of international collectors and admirers of glass that had appreciated only works rooted in Murano tradition.
The best works of artists of Murano were on display, and many were the product of a glassmaking technique Murrina important call (mosaic), which was rediscovered in the late 19th century by Vittorio Zuffi while working for Fratelli Toso. This technique appeared originally in the Century 16 in an effort to imitate ancient Roman vases. Artisti Barovier Murano famous brand received the Diploma of Honour and Gold Medal Other artists that is popular in Murano far, Salviati, Testolini, and The Brothers Toso (Fratelli Toso).
The year 1895 was also the time of the first Venice Biennale exhibition, where new works of art in the avant-garde and art nouveau were shown. This highlighted the gap between modern trends gaining strength in Europe at the time and works of the artisans of Murano who were deeply attached to the styles and methods of the past. This gap became even more evident in the Paris Universal Exhibition 1900, followed by Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Turin in 1902 and Milan in 1906. Some artisans of Murano, as Vittorio Toso Borella, became receptive to the new winds blowing in the art scene and began making art works nouveaustyle. While initially receiving mixed reviews for works exhibited at Ca 'Pesaro in 1909, Vittorio went on to produce masterpieces that later became universally appreciated. Ca 'Pesaro, unlike the Venice Biennale, became in an exhibition covering the latest trends show many works of art and art style vouveau of young artists such as Gino Rossi and Arturo Martini Marussig Guido. A artists, Vittorio Zecchin, collaborated extensively with Artisti Barovier to create designs for their famous glass objects.
In the 1920s, art nouveau was slowly replaced by more modern styles with the simplest, cleanest and most functional designs. Art Deco took the center stage and with it came less than objects decorated with soft lines and more focus on glassware as part of interior design, not a work of art itself. A new company, Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Capellín Venini, founded in 1921 by Vittorio Zecchin as its chief designer became the champion of this style.
A little later, in late 1920 to early 1930, there was another important trend led by Maestri Vetrai Murano Muranesi Capellín & Co. and Vetreria Artistica Barovier. The trend was glass animals, which is still very popular today. Other important innovations defended in 1930 and continued in early 1940 were the production glass statues of female nudes and classic figures of the boxers and the gods, engraving on glass, modern lighting accessories, perfectly proportioned dishes transparent glass, and the invention of Sommerso vetro? a technique for producing articles of thick glass with a color on the outside and one inside.
During World War II the industry did not prosper, but as soon as the war was over the Murano glass masters returned to his art and created pieces deeply rooted in the interior design trends of the period with emphasis on minimalism, functionality and simplicity. To support these artists and trends Murano craftsmen returned to past techniques like filigree and lattimo murrine. From that point Murano was continued the exploration of styles and techniques struggle to find the right balance between technical mastery and contour, color and decoration.
The resulting continuous innovation led a rise in popularity and numerous awards in various international art exhibitions. With such prominent artists as Archimede Seguso, Louis and Laura Santillana, Tobia Scarpa, Ercole Barovier, Fulvio Bianconi, Zuccheri Toni, Chrivi Romano, Giampaolo Martinuzzi, and Alfredo Barbini, Murano came to be known as the capital of the world of glass blowing. Murano now created the artistic trends as opposed to following in recent years.
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About the Author
About the Author:Hand-crafted Murano Glass Jewelry and artwork imported directly from Venice, Italy. We offer Murano Glass jewelry, accessories, vases, pendants, necklaces, rings, art glass, chandeliers and much more. Visit http://www.glassofvenice.com
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