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The art of <br>
glass making in Venice is present from the beginning of Venetian <br>
history. There is proof that Venetians started working glass from the <br>
time that they settled in the islands of the lagoon to escape the <br>
barbarian invasions. They were able to create precious and unique <br>
glass pieces with their able hands, simple instruments and fire. The <br>
first artifacts of the 7th century were found in an archeological dig <br>
at Torcello, one of the first islands of the Venetian lagoon to be <br>
inhabited. The first document, which speaks of glass artisans, is of <br>
982 AD signed by Dominicus Fiolarius, "fiola " meaning a rounded bottle
<br>
with a long neck. It is also found that in 1224 there is a guild of <br>
glass blowers and in 1271 there is a document Capitolare Fiolariis <br>
which regulates the production of glass. <br>
The art of glass making was pasted down from father to son and then <br>
became a trade exclusively for those born in the island of Murano were <br>
all the factories were moved to in 1291 as a precaution for a fire <br>
hazard. Glass was regarded as an important item of export and the <br>
secrets of its making were jealously guarded. A glassmaker, during the <br>
Republic, that left the Venetian State was condemned to death as a <br>
traitor. The most important discoveries in making glass were made in <br>
Murano. Angelo Barovier discovered how to make crystal in 1450, which <br>
was then technically perfected by other schools such as Boema. The <br>
Murano School still remains the most important and inimitable.
<p>In the Medieval Age glass objects were made primarily for practical use <br>
for example drinking glasses and bottles in the rough state of glass. <br>
During the Renaissance, instead, when Murano had the absolute most <br>
important production and school of glass the objects that were made <br>
were more decorative and ornate. They expanded the variety of <br>
creations, colors, and motifs. In Europe these products became very <br>
popular and there was a large request to decorate palaces and to create <br>
personalized tableware for the most important houses. The perfection <br>
in the art of glass making was reached in the 1500's with a harmony of <br>
forms and the use of crystal so much so that the seventeenth century <br>
was dedicated to improve all the innovations and styles that were <br>
discovered in the flourish period of the Renaissance. In the <br>
eighteenth century there was a downfall in Murano glass do to the <br>
competition from other countries especially Boem. The only resource <br>
that Murano had at the time was Giuseppe Briati who faithfully kept the <br>
Venetian style of creating glass but produced the more in vogue pieces <br>
that were produced outside the Republic. In the middle of the <br>
nineteenth century Murano starts to rise again due to the interest of <br>
antique collectors. The return to the appreciation of Murano glass is <br>
solidified with the first show of antique glass art works in 1864. </p>
<p>Thousands of techniques of working glass and products such as <br>
chandeliers, mirrors, necklaces, drinking glasses, plates, vases, <br>
bottles, ornaments have come out of Murano's furnaces to decorate <br>
homes, palaces, and museums all over the world. Murano's production <br>
has been able throughout the years to come out of all the times of <br>
crisis. </p>
<p>The 20th century is another turning point in Murano's history. The <br>
arrival of artist, designers, and architects has changed the production <br>
and the consideration of this craft. Glass blowers are now recognized <br>
as artist and work side by side with visionaries to create new forms <br>
and objects. Thanks to this new recognition and collaboration the art <br>
of making glass continues to evolve. </p>
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