a law passed in 1291.
Italian glassmaking and glassmaking in Venice have been one of the most important centers of glass art for centuries.
It still maintains its importance in Venice with its traditional glass making and the glass works it has produced in contemporary art.
Roman historian Pliny points out that glass was first discovered by Phoenician sailors. According to the story, the sailors set up a camp on the beach in the Prolemais region of Syria and light a fire and place their containers on soda blocks, which are also their loads. When they wake up the next day, they find that because of the heat of the fire, sand and soda have formed the glass.
Although it is said that glass was first produced by the Egyptians and Phoenicians in the 2nd century before Islam, the history of the first glass samples found in Mesopotamia dates back to the 3rd century.
The reason why the island of Murano, which is separated from Venice by the extension of the sea, is associated with Venice is due to glasswork. Murano has been the target of aristocrats for years. This is because glass is the most sought-after item all over the world and has fascinated glass craftsmanship for centuries.
The first document we have of Venetian glass art is a donation receipt dated 982 bearing the signature of "Dominicus fiolarius". It is known that Fiolarius comes from the Latin word fiola, which means tall wide-bodied glass bottle. The only feature of the glass in this region is that it is handcrafted without the use of molds.
In order to be protected from fire that may arise in the city of Venice, which consists entirely of wooden buildings, it was decided to close all glass furnaces in the city center and move them to Murano Island, with
Because the European palaces wanted to bring Venetian glassmakers to their countries, a law enacted by the Serenssima Government prohibited the migration of Venetian glassmakers to abroad. However, attractive offers could not prevent this. Despite all these prohibitions, Venetian masters left their country and settled in various parts of Europe, and during the 16th century, they spread to Europe and established glass furnaces, where they continued to make Murano glass. Glass making centers in Europe have started to make Venetian style glasses. Demand for Murano glassware has influenced other European glassmakers, ensuring the importance of Murano glassware produced. It is the heyday of Venetian glasswork. It has been a favorite of European traders in terms of appearance and technique.
Venetian glassmakers started to produce mirrors from the beginning of the 17th century. With these mirrors produced in Venice, in the last decade of the 17th century, crystal glass became the more popular product. It has been observed that the Venetian style, especially crystal candle holders and wall lamps and chandeliers, began to be excessively ornamented and embroidered. Crystal glass was only made in Venice until the 17th century, but classical crystal lamps, mirrors and similar items designed by French glass artists produced at the beginning of the 18th century weakened Venetian glass, which pioneered European glass production, causing these glasses to decline in market share. As the Republic of Venice collapsed in the early 18th century, the glass industry began to decline. The fact that the Duke of Venice could not take any action in the face of the loss of the supremacy of sea power in the Mediterranean adversely affected all artists and craftsmen, including Venetian glassmakers. And if in the 18th century
They preserve it until today and still produce glass by hand. Due to this feature, Venetian glasswork attracts great attention from tourists today.
