Work by Venetian glass Artist, Norberto Moretti |
Objects of Desire | Murano Glass A brief history in time of Murano Glass making; Situated 3km north of Venice in Italy, the island of Murano and has been a commercial port since the 7th Century and became the centre of Venetian glass making in 1291, when glass foundries were moved from Venice to reduce the risk of fires. At that time, Murano glassmakers operated at the leading edge of glass technology and they were the only people in Europe who knew how to make glass mirrors.
They were the leading citizens on the island and enjoyed immunity from prosecution by the Venetian state. But such privileges come with a cost; perhaps understandably since the Venetian Republic was very keen to retain their unique craft. They were not permitted to leave the Venetian lagoon area and punishment for deserters was severe. If a craftsman tried to set up shop beyond the Lagoon, he risked being assassinated or having his hands cut off.
They also developed and refined technologies such as crystalline glass, enameled glass (smalto), glass with threads of gold (aventurine), multicolored glass (millefiori), milk glass (lattimo), and imitation gemstones made of glass.Their virtual monopoly on quality glass lasted for centuries.
And still today, murano glass makers and artists, follow their age-old techniques, although other countries such as China and the Czech Republic try to imitate the exquisite Venetian glass but tend to be a poor copy.But the vibrancy of Murano glass, appearing to glow from within, is unmistakable since the colours and design are unparallel. |
