Venice was an important maritime power at that time, and their citizens had access to many geographical areas and pure materials for glassmaking, including special pebbles from a local river that allowed them to develop secret techniques that were envied around the world. Nobody else was able to get these materials and the Venetian Republic`s decision to host glassmakers on Murano island, meant they were not easily observed at work, so their secret techniques were safeguarded, adding to the overall mystique and desirability of their products.
A prominent example of the artistic flair displayed by
Venetian glassmakers is this pilgrim flask with the arms of Lichtenstein and
Reppoltstein, made in Venice in 1523 – 6.
One of the unparalleled discoveries
was made by Angelo Barovier, who learnt
to purify glass and make it transparent. This bright, completely transparent
crystal glass was known as vetro cristallo or cristallo veneziano.
Another break-through was made in 1527
by Filippo Catani who patented zanfirico or retorti filigree, which allowed
glassmakers apply fine milky white canes to a transparent cristallo glass and
twist them in a spiral pattern.
I adore this vetro a filigrana glass , made in Venice in
late 16th century.
The glassmakers of Murano were very entrepreneurial and were
producing different designs for different markets. At the height of their
popularity, they were making amazing artefacts for crowned heads, popes and the
leading businessmen of the time.
The demand for Venetian glass became so big,
that by the end of the 16th century a number of glassmakers began migrating
across European cities and slowly but surely, Venice had lost its ability to keep
the technical skills secret and as a result lost its exclusivity and monopoly.
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