An article on the history of Venetian glass furniture

If you happen to be as obsessed with glass furniture as we are, you may be interested in the following article. We explore how glass came about, how it was shaped and refined to fulfil different uses, and finally how the Venetian glass furniture you see today evolved throughout the ages. It is fascinating to find out how the decorative glass furniture, with which we adorn our homes today, has its origins in the mists of time.

How glass began

A form of glass, created by volcanic action on certain types of rock has existed since the beginnings of time itself. It is believed that some Stone Age tribes made use of this naturally occurring glass, to make tools and other objects. (Believe it or not they weren’t making glass furniture at this stage, although we like to think there was the odd Gay Stone Age couple boasting a cave full of mirrored furniture). In the more modern world it is the Phoenicians who have been credited with the discovery of glass. The Roman historian Pliny (ad 23 -79) tells of how Phoenician merchants in the area of Syria rested cooking pots on blocks of nitrate close to the fire, around 5000BC. After time the heat of the fire caused the blocks to melt and mix with sand on the beach forming a liquid, the earliest form of glass. (What an amazing discovery. Phoenicians we salute you, and thank you for our amazing glass furniture)!

Earliest glass production

The earliest manmade objects are non-transparent glass beads, which have been found in Egypt and are thought to date back as far as 3500BC. Glass furniture was still a long way off at this stage! The first evidence of hollow glass manufacture dates from the 16 century BC with remains of glass vases found in Mesopotamia. But glass-making techniques were also developing simultaneously in Greece and China. (We love that China got involved in glass production. Most of our glass furniture is manufactured in China today).

The evolution of glass making techniques

It is not until around the last century BC that Syrians discovered the art of glass blowing. The Roman Empire with its domination of the Western World soon ensured that glassworks began to spring up all over Europe. Mirrored glass Furniture was not even a glimmer in the eye of a glassmaker at this stage. We hadn’t even invented the mirror! The importance of Venice In The Middle Ages Venice occupied a strategic position. The Venetian fleet ruled the Mediterranean. This gave the city access to the techniques of the Syrians and also allowed them to be influenced by Islamic design. The Venetian glassmakers became such an important part of the prosperity of the city that foreign craftsmen were forbidden from working there. But the Venetian’s didn’t want to keep the glass manufacturing in Venice. Why? Because at the time Venice was constructed almost entirely of wood, and glass production involves (amongst other stuff) FIRE. So in the 13th Century the panicked Venetians moved the glass industry to the now world famous Island of Murano (which was also made of wood)!

Murano

Moving the industry to Murano had the double benefit of removing a fire hazard from the city while at the same time making it easier to ensure that glassmaking skills and recipes were not allowed to escape overseas. The natives were so worried about the leaking of information that glassmakers who were suspected of breaking the secrecy were sentenced to death! The statement “he was eaten by a salamander" was the term used to describe what happened to these poor individuals found stabbed and floating in the canals. (Here at Out There Interiors we too are very protective of our glass furniture designs, although we feel like Venetian response is a tad over the top). The craftsmen of Murano started using quartz sand and potash made from local sea plants to produce very pure crystal of the highest quality and it is this that has led to their reputation for producing some of the finest glass in the world.

The invention of the mirror.

And it was near Syria again that another development of the uses of glass occurred. It was here that the mirror was invented. How did we cope without the mirror? (Never mind mirrored furniture...) Early mirrors were curved and must have produced a bizarre reflection, but by the 11th century flat mirrors were manufactured and the advantages of the item became more apparent (yes, yes, yes! Mirrored glass FURNITURE). The city of Venice came to the fore in the 13th century producing transparent mirrors in a crystalline style that was unrivalled. Venetian glass was not just used for the production of mirrors but was developed into glass chandeliers and other items of highly decorative glass furniture. All these items of glass furniture are extremely popular today.

Authentic Venetian Glass furniture

Venetian glass furniture has always been considered as the ultimate luxury product and indeed authentic antique glass furniture, which is extremely rare, is sold for amazingly high prices today. It is true that even reproductions made in Italy command a price, which is beyond the reach of most pockets. Buying original glass furniture is not without other problems as well. However good the quality of a Venetian glass mirror, centuries of use understandably take their toll and much of the antique glass furniture available is often in a poor condition and would not grace a modern home. If, of course, the glass furniture is in excellent condition, doubts as to its authenticity inevitably creep in.

Contemporary glass furniture Production

The decline in glass production in Venice from the 17th to the early 19th century was largely because Chinese merchants began to use the same trade routes the Europeans used and bring their cheaper glass to Europe. Ironically the re-emergence of the Venetian mirrored furniture style today, is largely due to Far Eastern manufacture. In the case of coloured glass furniture, costs are cut today by painting colour on the reverse of plain glass rather than creating coloured glass from scratch. This creates a product of excellent quality which is well within the aspirations of the modern homemaker. For a fraction of the price of the originals one can experience the striking effect of living with glass furniture. Even the addition of one item of Venetian glass furniture will make a grand statement in your home. Although the origins of glass furniture are undoubtedly Venetian many other styles have been found to lend themselves to this beautiful look. Glass furniture is produced in opulent French and Italian styles but looks just as effective when crafted into art deco, art nouveau or post modernist pieces. At Out There we specialise in many different styles of glass furniture. Whether you prefer the highly ornate, opulence of the etched glass furniture, or whether you go for a more minimalist look with sharp angles and clean lines or whether you just wish to introduce a funky art deco style piece as a talking point, we have plenty of glass furniture of all styles for you to choose from.