Traditions of Murano Glass

The world capital of decorative glass is located in beautiful Venice, on the island called Murano. For ages, Murano has been a place of origin for most famous and most beautiful glass vases, bowls, figurines, etc. When you possess an original piece from Murnao, you are a real connoisseur.

The beginnings

In 1960 the oldest furnace for glass, dated for the 8th century, was discovered on a Venetian island. The 8th century established Venice as a prominent center for glass-manufacturing. The origins of glass making in this region are traced back even to the times of the Roman Empire, when glass was used to illuminate bathhouses.

In the 13th century, producing highest-quality glass items became the main industry of Venice. It led to creation of the Glassmakers Guild which was responsible for shaping and voicing rules and regulations which the Venice craftsmen were supposed to follow. The Guild was serving two purposes. Firstly, it was supposed to stand on guard of the secrets of glass making trade. Secondly, the aim was to make sure that the industry brings profit. In order to meet the above mentioned objectives, in 1271 a law was introduced that prohibited importation of foreign glass as well as employment of foreign glass workers.

One of the most significant events in Murano glass making history is the 1291 move of all furnaces used in this trade from Venice to Murano. The law triggering this event laid the ground for establishing Murano as a center of glass manufacturing. Several theories exist which try to explain why Venice wanted to move its craftsmen. One of them states that Venice was afraid of fire from the furnaces spreading over the city. It could lead to a complete destruction of Venice as the city`s building were primarily made of wood. What is more, such a fire would greatly endanger enormous in size population of Venice. However, other sources claim that the real reason behind the 1291 law was related to making the craftsmen isolated so they would not be able to share their trade secrets with foreigners. Locating them on the island in close proximity to Venice would serve the purpose: it would reduce the craftsmen contacts with outsiders, but on the other hand would let them sell their products on markets in Venice. What is interesting, in 1295 the law which forbade the glassmakers to leave the city was passed.

Venetian government was also undertaking less direct steps in order to keep glass making secluded and make Venice a leader in this industry. It was providing glass makers and their families with special treatment and high location in the Venetian social ladder. Privileged status and related to this perks were a great incentive for glass makers who encouraged their offspring to stay in the trade and carry the tradition on. Internal politics as well as convenient location of Venice as a city on a path of trade between East and West allowed it to flourish as a European monopolist in making and selling high quality glass products, such as glass vases, bowls or figurines.

Time of booming

The 15th century brought another innovation into the world of Murano glass when Master Angelo Barovier discovered the process for producing clear glass, called cristallo. Furthermore, another innovation was a discovery of lattimo which was the white glass reminding popular that time Chinese porcelain. The greatest times in Murano history also made glassmakers experiment with new techniques in production more sophisticated pieces of art. By using glass rods with inner threads of white, golden or coloured glass which twisted or intersected, they were creating filigrana glass. They also started enamelling and gilding glass as well as creating ice glass which appears as it is finely crackled.

Twilight

The 17th was not too lucrative for Murano glass and its makers. Decline of Venetia’s influence as a centre of commerce as well as emergence of other glass centres in Europe, specifically located in Bohemia, England and France, led to a decrease of influence of Murano in the industry. However, it did not stop the glass makers from inventing new techniques in glass making such as avventurina which is embedding metal flecks in glass so it looks very sparkly or calcedonio which bring illusion of an item made of semiprecious stone. Murano glass was popular for its bright colours and complex floral and animal motives as decorations.

Turmoil of the 18th and 19th century

The 18th century was definitely not the best time for glass makers in Murano. Competition located in Bohemia and France and later Napoleon’s conquest of Venice, which led to abolishment of the Glassmakers’ Guild, put the industry in jeopardy. Even worse for the condition of Murano glass making was overtaking of Venice by the Habsburg Empire. The rulers, preferring their own glassmaking centre in Bohemia passed the law which led to virtual impossibility of bringing necessary raw material into Murano as well as exporting ready products due to the cost introduced by the law. Only 5 furnaces stayed alive and kept blowing glass.

However, the tradition still lived. The breakthrough came with arrival to the city of Antonio Salviati who opened a factory producing traditional Murano glass. Soon he was granted a fifteen-year contract for restoration of the mosaics in St. Mark’s basilica. At the same time interest in old traditions of glass making in Murano came from Venice government which embodied in establishment of school for glassmakers who were taught the forgotten techniques of the craft. For the next few years, recent glass works were displayed in various exhibitions on the Italian, as well as international level. Following multiple successes, Murano regained its reputation as a centre of glass making and again became a booming economy.

Modern history

The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th can be characterized as years of reproduction of classical styles and rediscovering ancient techniques of glassmaking. These pieces were greatly appreciated by international collectors and admirers of beauty of glass. However, modern times brought new European works of art in avant-garde and art nouveau style, which showed a gap that existed between pieces offered by modern artists and Murano artisans still deeply attached to the past.

The first Murano artisan who started adopting new trends was Vittorio Toso Borella. Although his first products did not completely satisfy glass connoisseurs, his later pieces became appreciated masterpieces. Borella was later accompanied in new style by Gino Rossi, Arturo Martini and Guido Marussig.

Later, art deco came. In Murano glass craft, it was represented by less decorated pieces of Vittorio Zecchin. In the 1920s-1940s, Murano glassmakers became famous of producing glass animals, glass statues of female nudes, engraving on glass, modern lighting fixtures, glass tableware and glass vases. An innovative glass making technique was introduced called vetro sommerso which let the makers produce thick glassware, which showcase one colour on the inside and another on the outside.

Minimalism, functionality and simplicity were the trends present in Murano glass making after the World War II. Such techniques as filigree, murrino and lattimo saw their come back and produced pieces which harmonized outline with colour and decoration of the pieces.

Today, Murano is again considered a capital of glass art of the world. It creates trends in glass blowing and becomes a destination for those who appreciate beauty of glass.

This and other articles written by Glamorous Glass you can find on http://ezinearticles.com/, http://www.articlesnatch.com/, and http://www.articlesengine.com/

OUR TRIP TO EUROPE

It was a blast! Too short though. Well, that's how it is when you're having fun-time flies, and our three-week trip to Poland and Lithuania ended few days ago.

The trip was a combination of pleasure and business. Pleasure, as it was my little sister's wedding (well, I guess not that little anymore). And you must know that Polish weddings are quite pompous :-). Although the wedding ceremony is important, this is always a party that all guests are waiting for. And this one brought enjoyment to all of the 100 guests. The banquet hall was located in a beautiful part of eastern Poland, facing a picturesque river and being surrounded by wild forests. It was a country-style party, with traditional Polish food, drinks, roasted over the fire ham, fireworks, and dancing until 7.00 am!

We traveled a bit in Poland looking for new suppliers who offer unique hand-made glass products. Indeed, we established several contacts and are hoping to start fruitful cooperation.

Our trip to Lithuania was amazing! If you have a chance, do not hesitate to visit Vilnius, the capital. This beautiful city provided us with time to relax when strolling along the streets of the Old Town. Impressive history, wonderful food, enormous number of relics. We stayed at the monastery led by Polish nuns. They provided us with unbelievable hospitality, tasty home-made meals, and a lesson of history. Amazing people!

Vilnius is a home for Stiklo Paslaptis, a glass artists' studio where we found extremely beautiful glass art pieces. We're looking forward to bring some of them to Canada so our clients can enjoy warmth and cosiness provided by these pieces. Above is a sample of their work.

Meanwhile, don't forget about Glamorous Glass when you are looking for a special gift or an original piece of home decor. We have both :-)

DELIBERATIONS ON DECORATIVE GLASS

Glass does not only have industrial and practical value. Its characteristics are widely used by glassworks and artists who make original pieces of art-highly valued collectibles.

The artistic decorative glass products are shaped of liquid glass. This liquidity allows an artist to create various, rich in shape products-real pieces of art. Glass can be called a medium for artists.

It is impossible to talk about decorative art glass without mentioning the Murano glassmaking history. Their tradition of precision in glassworks is maintained since the 13th century. Due to its uniqueness Murano glass is often referred to as “cristallo”.

There are two opinions on how Murano, the island in the Venetian Lagoon became a centre of glassmaking. It is being said that in 1291 the Venetian Republic, fearing that fire used by glassmakers might burn down Venice’s wood buildings, ordered its glass artists to move their foundries to Murano. This way the glassmakers became the noblest citizens of this island. Another, more frequently suggested opinion, is that the move was made to isolate the glassblowing masters and prevent them from sharing their knowledge with foreigners. Glass making became a trade exclusively for those born on the island of Murano, and whoever glassmaker left the Venetian State was condemned to death as a traitor.

In the 1400s, the Italian island of Murano became the centre of glass luxury. Many new glass making techniques were developed there and Murano played a main role in the export trade of dinnerware, glass vases, mirrors and other luxurious items. A distinguishing feature of glass pieces made by Venetians was their content and a technique of making. Local quartz pebbles were almost pure silica ground into clear sand and combined with soda ash obtained from the Levant.

The contemporary Venetian glass art flourished in the 50ths and 60ths of the 20th century. Murano is still a Mecca for artists and glass lovers. The Murano School remains one of the most important in the world, and the art of glassmaking, just like centuries ago is still handed down from father to son.

However, not only the Italians became famous of their glass making skills. It is worth to mention that the Czech Republic Region of Bohemia and Moravia is a significant source of European glass making traditions. From the earliest days, the Czechs were setting tone in European and world art of glass making.

The United States are famous for making artistic glass items as well. The American glassworks tradition comes from the colonial times, when green glass house ware was produced. Currently, there are a lot of individual artists, and the art in glass is practiced and taught in the universities.

Beginning in the 19th century, a variety of extravagant glass items, such as glass vases started to become an important part of the decorative art. Particularly significant impact on development of decorative glass had the Art Nouveau movement. The members produced coloured pieces, often in cameo glass (a form of glass art involving etching and carving through fused layers of differently coloured glass; the main characteristic are white figures carved on black background), as well as using the lustre technique.

With the 20th century came an era of revolutionary technology. Machines were developed which replaced traditional mouth blowing with a semi-automatic process, and transformed the craft into an industry. A new mould-etch process was invented which allowed to reduce manufacturing costs. This led to cheap glassware in the 1930s, later called “Depression glass”.

Classical man-made glassblowing maintaining the tradition and knowledge of ancient glassblowers became an art. Today's glassblower still utilizes the basic blowpipe, but now they have a vast number of supplementary tools to aid in working the material.

Here are the most common techniques to produce glass art:

• blowing: a glassblower works at a furnace full of molten glass using metal rods and hand tools to blow and shape almost any form of glass;
• kiln-casting: can be done at the furnace at the torch or in a kiln; generally the artist makes a mould out of refractory, sand, or plaster and silica which can be filled with either clear glass or coloured or patterned glass;
• fusing, slumping: usually glass is only heated enough to impress a shape or a texture onto the piece, or to stick several pieces of glass together without glue;
• flame working: the artist generally works at a bench using rods and tubes of glass, shaping with hand tools to create their work;
• hot sculpting;
• cold-working;

The most common glass objects include vessels such as bowls, glass vases, bottles, etc. as well as paperweights, beads, sculptures and installation art.

SUMMER AT GLAMOROUS GLASS

We've learnt a lot about the world of business in the last few months. We've also had a chance to meet great people who provided us with their valuable advice and help. On the other hand, it was impossible to avoid those who were less than willing (or able) to provide us with the appropriate level of service or support. Each such an encounter is a lesson for us. For instance today we have learnt how we should not treat our clients. Well, one of the flower shops in Milton decided to hang up on us no matter what the reason of our call was! In this way they did not only loose a potential client (we will sooner or later need to purchase a bouquet for a special occasion-now we know where not to do this; what is more, we will definitely not recommend this place to our friends), but also a partner in business. Glamorous Glass, contrary to this flower shop, is aware that professional customer service is one of the most important aspects when running a shop.

We currently pour a lot of time into creating a good marketing campaign. You can find our ads in the Oakville Connected or the Burlington Post Here's My Card edition (page 20). Glamorous Glass has also established a partnership with Discover Milton, a company which promotes local businesses in Milton, ON. Check out the part about Glamorous Glass.

We are also looking for new alliances with other local firms so we can promote and support each other. If you own a business or you know someone who would be interested in establishing a partnership with Glamorous Glass, give us a shout.

And don't forget to purchase some glamorous glass vases, bowls, or plates in our web store.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NICE BOHEMIAN SET OF PLATES....

.... You will find them at Glamorous Glass. You can get them in a set of 2, 4 or 6. Combine different decors from the same collection and you will create an extraordinary, often contemporary dinner table. The plates are made of fused glass. Most of them are transparent but possess highly decorative and colorful edges which make them so exceptional. Here are some pictures but do not hesitate to visit our web store for a full collection of Bohemian plates straight from the Czech Republic.

By the way, the plates will be a great gift idea for newlyweds.

IDEA BEHIND GLAMOROUS GLASS

Glamorous Glass is getting its presence in both, real and virtual world. Our passion to make it work drives us towards creating a perfect store for those who care about style and want to be original while expressing their individualism. Glamorous Glass will be for such people. You won't find here quality-cheap products manufactured on a massive scale. The idea behind Glamorous Glass is to offer you a piece of distinctiveness and a breeze of freshness in home decor. Our aim is to make you think about Glamorous Glass FIRST when you face a challenge of finding a perfect gift. No matter what the occasion is-wedding, birthday, holiday-Glamorous Glass will provide you with original gift ideas.

FUNCTIONALITY GOES HAND IN HAND WITH ORIGINALITY OF DESIGN IN THESE CZECH PLATES AND PLATTERS

A new shipment from the Czech Republic has arrived today. This time Glamorous Glass has received various fused glass plates and platters from Axum Bohemia. We will offer a number of original dining sets. These are functional, colourful plates and platters which present themselves wonderfully on any table during casual parties as well elegant dinners. Check out the glass food pyramid-it is a great idea of how you can serve snacks, sushi, etc., and at the same time entertain your guests with your originality and creativity.

Check out our blog, Glamorous Glass store and facebook in a few days as the pictures are coming soon.