Glassmaking in Murano, Italy has a long and impressive history. In
fact, it is the longest lasting center for glass making in history.
From the 9th century to today, Murano has continued to produce
beautiful and innovative artwork through generations of success and
failure. A small island northwest of the city of Venice, Murano is not
much larger than a few square miles. As a major trading port, Murano
reflects Asian and Muslim influences. Multihued beads were used in
trading with Asian, African and Muslim neighbors.
In the 13th century, glassblowing in Venice grew so rapidly that in
1260s, Arte, a trade association was formed. In an attempt to formalize
a body of guidelines on how glass shops were to be operated and the
duties of the glass blowing master and his disciples, the Capitoloare
Guild was created. For more than 500 years, the Capitolare was updated,
addressing quality control, raw material agreements and trade
protection from foreign competitors.
In the 1200s, glass blowing operations were moved from the city of
Venice to the island of Murano because of the fire hazard to a city
built of wood. The consolidation of all glassblowers to the island
allowed the government to oversee and manage its monopoly on this
profitable industry. In fact, the government was so intent on
protecting the industry, it created harsh consequences for glassblowers
who tried to leave and practice glassblowing in other countries. The
glassblower's secret techniques were not only prestigious, but an
underpinning of the local economy.
This tightening of control actually produced a higher quality of glass
- as the level of competition was intensified between master
glassblowers. Innovative ideas and techniques quickly spread throughout
the island. With the advent of the Renaissance, new techniques were
refined and consumer demand heightened as people sought out the
lightest, most graceful glass, further enflaming the reputation and
prestige of Venetian glassblowers. Venetian glass became so popular
some glassblowers disregarded the Guild's edict on trade secrets and
began migrating throughout Europe.
Growing competition from other countries, the occupation of the
Venetian Republic by Napoleon's army in 1797, and eventual abolishment
of the Guild in 1805, brought about the demise of Venice glassblowing.
Gone were the beautiful works of art from just a few decades before.
The scant few glassblowing shops that remained produced only beads,
small bottles and other trinkets needed for trade.
Thankfully, a reversal of fortunes began to occur in the late 1800s as
lost glass blowing techniques began to be reintroduced and artists such
as Antonio Salviati won numerous awards at the 1867 Universal
Exposition in Paris for his amazing glass pieces. Around that time, the
rediscovery and utilization of murrine, a glass working technique from
Roman times become instrumental in the revitalization of the Murano
glass industry in the late 1800s.
Over the next 100 years, glass artists such as Paolo Venini, Napoleone
Martinuzzi, Giacomo Cappellin, Carlo Scarpa, and Ercole Barovier, to
name a few, left their glass artistry genius on the Murano glass
industry. The heat of adversity again produced magnificent results
directly after World War II. The artistic energy pent up during the war
produced some of Murano's most creative and innovative years in the
1950s. Maestros collaborated with artists including Pablo Picasso,
Henry Moore and Jean Cocteau, as well as served as mentors to budding
artists of the American Studio Glass movement.
The most recent challenge to Venetian glassblowing has been
counterfeiting since the 1990s. Sadly, many of the classic vases,
glassware and millefiore objects are being counterfeited in Asia, for
sale overseas. In response, the Venetian glassmaker's consortium
registered a Murano trademark that appears on their wares with the
European Union that is difficult to replicate or counterfeit.
Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry
the full line of Pandora Jewelry. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and
Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more
information, contact Lewis Jewelers at 877-88-LEWIS or visit
www.pandorabraceletsusa.com.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
