Murano glass has a long history as one of the most prized products of Italy. Glassmaking took hold as an important industry in Venice as early as the 8th century. Glass products became so important to the city’s economy that the glassmakers were required by law to live on the tiny island of Murano in the Adriatic Sea. Their isolation helped to ensure that their glassmaking secrets were well protected and the trade secrets typically stayed within the family. The glassmakers benefited from their situation as well. Though craftsmen could not leave the city, the daughters of these respected glassmakers were permitted to marry into Venetian nobility.
By the 15th century, the glass produced in Italy was at the height of its popularity. New developments were being created that continually expanded the possibilities available to glassmakers. Murano glassmakers became the only European producers of mirrors after Angelo Barovier perfected the art of creating clear glass. Other discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries included a porcelain-like glass known as lattimo, filigrana glass intersected with variously colored glass rods, and ice glass which gave the product a unique cracked appearance. Gilding and enameling were popular techniques of the time as well. These innovative glass designs kept Italy topmost among producers in the glassmaking industry.
Through the 17th and 18th centuries, Murano glass saw a sharp decline and Italy lost its foothold as the center of fine glassmaking in Europe. Venetian trade routes lost much of their popularity and Murano glass was no longer perfectly positioned at the crossroads of major trade thoroughfares. Stiff competition arose in France and Napoleon abolished the glassmakers' guild in Venice when he conquered the city in 1797. When the Hapsburg Empire gained control of Venice, they continued to suppress the glassmaking industry in Italy in favor of promoting glass products from Bohemia. Only 5 glass blowers’ furnaces were still producing Murano glass by 1820.
The glass industry in Italy saw a brilliant revival in 1854 when the Fratelli Toso house was reopened and rededicated to producing traditional glass products. Within half a decade, Antonio Salviati had opened a factory of his own to revive Murano glassmaking. Though these producers originally focused only on traditional techniques, the art of Murano glass gradually began to evolve to keep up with developing trends in art. In 1909, some Murano glassmakers gave their works a distinct art nouveau style. Modern designs with clean lines evolved in the 1920s. Over subsequent decades, Murano glassmakers have displayed a stunning ability to honor ancient tradition while still creating beautiful modern products.
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