| Glass making developed as a trade in the 8th | | | | a Rafael's picture. However neither French |
| century in Venice. In those times Venice was | | | | nor Austrian manufacturers never got the |
| a separate state located on the crossroads | | | | secrets of colored glass making. |
| between Europe and Middle East. Venetian | | | | |
| merchants were famous not only for their | | | | Unfortunately, Venetian glassmaking |
| trading skills but also for their ability to | | | | traditions started to decline in 17th |
| get the secrets of craftsmen of the countries | | | | century. European map had changed, new |
| they visited and use them in their own | | | | French, Czech, Austrian schools created new |
| production. In medieval times glass making | | | | fashion on crystal and glass, and Murano |
| became one of the fastest growing industries. | | | | craftsmen were not unique any more. The real |
| By 13th century there were a lot of small | | | | tragedy occurred in 1806, when Napoleon |
| shops making colored and clear glass in | | | | ordered his troops to destroy all glass shops |
| Venice. Due to the nature of the production | | | | in Murano. Then Venice became the part of |
| the shops caused frequent fires that severely | | | | Austro-Hungarian Empire, and only in 19th |
| damaged the city, so it was decided to move | | | | century brothers Toso opened the first glass |
| all the shops to the island of Murano - 1,5 | | | | shop after almost 200 years of stagnation of |
| km from Venice. This step also helped to keep | | | | glass making industry in Italy. This glass |
| the secrets of the glass making quite safe. | | | | manufacturer exists by nowadays and is one of |
| The masters of Murano glass received a lot of | | | | the most famous producers of Venetian glass |
| privileges from Doge Tiepolo in 1291. The | | | | in the world. Soon Murano island saw the |
| island of Murano was declared a true and | | | | opening of many glass shops that became |
| proper industrial area and soon became the | | | | legends nowadays: Barovier, Francesco Ferro & |
| capital of glass production in the world. By | | | | Figlio, Venini. |
| 15th century the fame of Murano glass is | | | | |
| spreading all over Europe - kings, dukes, | | | | Nowadays we witness the resurrection of the |
| princes - all want to have the objects made | | | | popularity of Murano glass in the world. The |
| by famous artists. At the same time a lot of | | | | unique nature of traditions in design and |
| European manufacturers are dreaming about | | | | craftsmanship make each glass object made by |
| getting the secrets of Venetian craftsmen. | | | | Murano artists a one-of-a-kind "piece of |
| The Minister of Louis XIY Colbert had | | | | art". Murano Glass Light Fixtures |
| succeeded in bribing of three artists from | | | | Designer lighting fixtures and crystal |
| Murano, who new how to make famous Venetian | | | | chandeliers. Contemporary, modern and classic |
| mirrors. Those times mirrors (they were | | | | lighting online and in our showroom in |
| called Magic Glass) were so precious that the | | | | Toronto. |
| price of one mirror could exceed the price of | | | | |