A Centuries Old Tradition

The rich history of Venetian Glass dates back over a thousand years. Glassmaking in the Venetian region can be traced back to the 7th century. Historians suggest that it may have been influenced by Roman glassmaking traditions. 

13th Century

By the 1200s, glassmaking was a major industry in Venice. The Glassmakers Guild was established during this time, which specified rules and regulations for glass craftsmen. The purpose of this guild was to protect trade secrets and the profitability of the glass industry. Importing foreign glass or employing foreign glassworkers even became prohibited by law in 1271.

In 1291, the Venetian Republic ordered all glassmakers to move their furnaces to the island of Murano in order to protect the city from the risk of fires caused by glass kilns. There may have been an ulterior motive for this decision - this law isolated glass craftsman, making it difficult for them to disclose any trade secrets. A law passed in 1295 forbidding glassmakers from leaving the city of Murano lends support to this theory. 

Murano soon became a center of excellence for glassmaking, with artisans developing unique techniques and styles. 

Glass artisans enjoyed many privileges, including an elevated social status, their daughters being allowed to marry into wealthy noble Venetian families. This privilege meant that glassmakers encouraged their children to carry on the family business, keeping trade secrets within the family, and on the island of Murano. This family loyalty along with Venice’s location at the center of trade between the East and the West, ensured that Venice held monopoly power in the glass industry. This power lasted for centuries.

15th and 16th Century

Throughout the Renaissance in the 15th-16th centuries, Murano glassmakers flourished, producing exquisite and innovative pieces. The process for producing clear glass (cristallo) was discovered during this period, and Murano glassmakers became the only producers of mirrors in Europe. New techniques such as filigree, millefiori, and latticing were developed during this period. In line with the laws put in place previously and the rules of the Glassmakers Guild, strict penalties were imposed on any artisans who attempted to leave the region and reveal glassmaking secrets, as Venetian glass had become highly sought after.

17th Century

After the boom of the Renaissance, Murano glass began a gradual decline. The 17th century saw competition arise when new glassmaking centers in Bohemia, England, and France began to spring up. Despite this changing competitive landscape, innovation in Murano glass design was still strong, informed by baroque trends in architecture, painting, interior decor, and other art forms of the time period. Brightly colored glass with intricate designs or animal motifs became popular, and new techniques emerged like avventurina (embedding metal flecks in glass for sparkle) and calcedony (creating the illusion of semiprecious stones,) along with 3D decorations and millefiori beads. Even though a decline was beginning, these new techniques were so successful that even royal customers placed orders for Murano glass.

18th Century

In the 18th century, the decline of Venetian glass was accelerated by the political climate and increased competition from the glassmakers in Bohemia and France. Napolean’s conquest of Venice in 1797 and his abolishment of all guilds (including the Glassmakers Guild) drastically effected the industry. More devastating, however, was the transfer of Venice from France to the Habsburg Empire in 1814. Habsburg rulers preferred their native glassmaking center in Bohemia and passed laws increasing the cost of both bringing raw materials into Murano and exporting the finished glass. Almost half of the 24 furnaces that existed in Murano shut down, and eventually only 5 furnaces continued to produce glass. 

Despite these efforts to destroy the Venetian glassmaking industry altogether, glass artisans remained dedicated to their craft. The strong centuries-old tradition passed through Murano families would rise again.

19th Century

The 19th century saw a renewed interest in traditional glassmaking techniques and a focus on artistic craftsmanship. In 1854, the six Toso brothers opened a glass firm, first producing simple household glass items and window panes, but then beginning to revive old techniques. In 1859, Antonio Salviati opened a factory specifically dedicated to producing traditional Murano glass. He hired the best Murano masters, and the factory produced tiles that could be used to restore old Venetian mosaics. Venetian authorities soon signed a contract with this factory to restore the mosaics in St. Mark’s basilica. In 1861, the mayor and abbot of Venice created an archive of the history of Venice, which included art pieces created in the city. This archive sparked renewed interest in Venice’s history, including the rich history of glassmaking. This interest prompted the creation of a glassmaking school, where students could learn the techniques and secrets of this forgotten craft. 

In 1864, the Archive exhibition of recent glass works, followed by other international shows, brought the publicity that sparked a full revival of Murano glass. By 1869, 3500 people were employed in the industry and the region was a booming economic center.

Late 19th and 20th Century, and beyond

The late 19th century and early 20th century saw a shift from classical glass styles to modern trends gaining traction in Europe. Art Nouveau style gained popularity, followed by Art Deco in the 1920s. The late 1920s and early 1930s saw glass animals arise as a trend, which remain popular even today. The 1940s produced glass statues and figures including female nudes and gods, glass engraving, modern lighting fixtures, tableware and more.

World War II temporarily disrupted the industry, but when the war was over, glass masters focused on the trends of minimalism, functionality, and simplicity. Murano artists drew on techniques of the past such as filigree, murrano, and lattimo in conjunction with these trends.

From this point onwards, Venetian glass has maintained a balance of exploring new styles and trends, while utitlizing the technical mastery of centuries old techniques. This balance has brought Venetian Glass to where it is today. Murano glass is a symbol of Venetian craftsmanship and endures in popularity worldwide.