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The history of Venice as a center of glassmaking is a particularly rich one.
Since the 15th century, all over the world, the name of the island of Murano has been virtually synonymous with the creation of the finest and most elegant glass. |
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The origins of glassmaking in the Venetian lagoon, date back much further, their roots lying in the Roman manufacturing tradition on the nearby mainland.
The first archaeological evidence of the production of glass in the lagoon comes from the island of Torcello and dates from the 7th century.
Documents in which glassmakers are mentioned occur from the late10th century onwards.
The industry expanded considerably after the Sack of Constantinople 1203/4, an event that had a tremendous impact on Venice, both technical and economic. |
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Sophisticated glass techniques such as enameling were brought in from the east at that time, but the Sack of Constantinople also brought Venice absolute dominance of the trade in luxury goods around the whole Mediterranean.
From an early date the Republic organized its glass trade and industry in a conscious effort to achieve a worldwide monopoly.
Glassmakers were already subject to some rules in the 12th century.
The famous Capitulare de Fiolaris dating from 1271, is the first statute of the glassmaker's art, containing rules and regulations for all people involved in glassmaking, including the furnace owners and the youngest apprentices, who were by the all organized in a guild of glassmakers. The "Capitulares" was regularly amended until the last version was issued in 1776.
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