Glass blowing as a manipulation technique for creating functional and decorative glass has been around since Phoenician times. Actual tools identifiable as relating to glass blowing have been found in excavations dating back to around 50BC. These show the use of a clay blowing tube - the precursors of the steel blowpipes used in the glassblowing of today. While the blowpipe method of glass formation (or free blowing tube method, as it can sometimes be referred to) spread throughout the world, it was the Venetians - particularly on the Island of Murano - who developed it to the highly decorative and colorful art form of today. From as long ago as the 13th Century, Murano has ranked as the finest art centre for glassblowing in the world today.
The Spread of Murano Expertise
It is largely due to the sharing of the expertise of these Murano glass artisans that the skills of extravagant glassblowing have now become more commonplace throughout the world. This developed a geographic competition and so provided a dynamic that brought about even greater artistic achievements by glassblowers within Europe. This movement then slowly spread through the Middle East and into Asia as well.
Nothing, however, compares to watching a glass blowing master on the island of Murano create an exquisite chandelier. The skill and mastery of the medium demand a respect and recognition - earned over centuries of history of working with this fascinating liquid - molten glass.
Glass blowing spread from the Phoenicians into the Roman Empire from the west, into Italy by the middle of the first century AD. It subsequently spread to the Roman provinces of Morgantina, Aquileia and Campania, moving from there to the north of the Alps (now Switzerland), Belgium, France and later on to Spain, Germany (the Rhineland), Croatia and further a-field.
Glass Blowing from Romans to Renaissance
The art of glass blowing was actively encouraged by the Roman Empire; the quality of the glass being made was of such a high standard that examples are still commonly found in archeological excavations today.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, glass blowing continued in Europe mainly in the form of mould blowing, for example in the manufacture of drinking vessels and mould formed bowls. Glass production changed, which resulted in a shorter lived glass, which deteriorated much more quickly in the environment.
During the Renaissance, glass blowing was revitalized in Italy, and particularly amongst the Venetians who specialized in the mould blowing techniques. Early furnaces discovered in the area date back to the 8th century AD.
Birth of Venetian and Murano Glass Factories
The 13th century saw Venice and Murano became well established as the Italian centre for glass making. To say it was the world’s center would have been presumptuous at the time, but later this was also found to be true. Several important and successful steps were taken by the Italian authorities to safeguard and protect what was even then realized to be a lucrative national industry. Around the latter half of this century, the Glassmakers Guild had been formed. In 1271 laws were passed to prevent importation of foreign glass and also the employment of foreign glass workers. Two decades later, the island of Murano was set aside to become the new hub of Italian glass making. All glass factories were ordered to be relocated to the island, ostensibly to protect Venice from the hazard of fire caused by furnaces. By 1296, a law had been passed which prevented glass makers from leaving the island, and to appease the glass-working population, glass makers were deliberately raised in status, and encouraged to marry into wealthy families. This in turn escalated competition between the Murano glass factories (that were almost exclusively family run) and caused the development of new skills within art of glass manufacture and manipulation.
Reflecting on The Peak of Venetian Glass
The Venetian glass industry began to peak around the 15th century, when the master maker Angelo Barovier discovered the process of making 'Cristallo' (clear glass) by adding manganese to what was then called soda glass. It automatically became very popular, particularly for the production and export of mirrors throughout Europe. The popular 'Lattimo' - a white colored glass which imitated porcelain - was also created and produced soon after, again by Barovier.
International Competition Fans Murano Creativity
Glass making was fast becoming a prestigious and lucrative business with its products in great demand. As it developed throughout Europe, so the Venetian glass industry started to decline. The Murano artisans immediately responded to this increasing competition from alternative centers in Europe in the ways that they were best at. Their experimentation and creativity was fanned, enabling them to reach even higher levels of craftsmanship and ingenuity. They were responsible for creating and introducing a foray of new techniques we know and still recognize today:
- Millefiori: the art of using Rosetta cane work enclosed by glass and insetting multi-colored flower-design beads (thus its name of thousand flowers).
- Aventurina: the inclusion of threads of gold, shiny metal fragments and flecks of foil within the glass.
- Calcedonio: the imitation in glass of the appearance of semi-precious stones combined with a milky tinging (thus its name is a derivative of chalk or calcium).
- The development and use of layering of glass as exterior decoration in the form of motifs of flora and fauna. This has become one of the best-known features of Murano chandeliers and glass.
- Girasol (opalescent) glass: although actually created in 1693, some hundred years later than these above, this opal-like, translucent glass was developed using lead arsenate and quickly rose to fame.
Murano Factories Face Near Extinction
In the early 1800s, under the Hapsburg Empire, Venetian glass all but died out in favor of the ‘officially preferred' Bohemian glass product. Bohemian glass was much cheaper due to its staining of glass in a multitude of colors, however it was altogether an inferior product that's never reach the standards of the Murano Artisans.
By 1820 and following the Hapsburg control of the districts of Venice, only 5 furnaces remained active on Murano, mainly due to Habsburg legislation being passed that made importation of raw materials onto the island prohibitively expensive.
Revival and Revitalization
In the late 1800's, two families were responsible for keeping the Murano tradition alive. The first was the Fritelli Toso (Brothers Toso) who formed a glassmaking factory, and the Vincenza lawyer. Then came Antonio Salviati, who moved to Murano specifically to salvage and restore the original art of Murano glassmaking. But for their actions, the heritage of the Murano glass industry would likely have disappeared altogether. Through their efforts and those who came after them, the historical art of glass making was salvaged and revived.
Thanks to later generations of artisans who maintained and taught their skills of the process, Murano glass techniques still exist and flourish today as a showcase of traditional techniques in the old style of glass making and blowing. Because of their efforts and those of modern supporters of the art, we are still able to visit Murano and watch a master glassblower display his skills to this very day.
About The Author
Julian Pollock is the editor of Chandelier-mall.com - an online publication that covers a variety of enlightening topics and information on product choices for home designs.
