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Quick summary: the fame of Murano is international for 800 years, because she has been mistress of the Art of glass held still, although unmarked, but still prosperous. The art of glass was practiced in Europe since Roman times. It probably developed in Venice around the 10th century and quickly became important, despite the danger posed by the operation of ovens (fornace) in a city to the dense urban fabric. In 1201, the Senate of Venice drafted a decree forcing the glassworkers of Venice to install their kilns on the island of Murano. Many fires were indeed reported to Venice at the beginning of the glass furnaces and the Venetians were concerned about risks to their wooden houses. Island condition could also more easily preserve the secrecy of the manufacture of the glass.
It's in 1291 the Doge Government decided to move permanently to the nearby island of Murano furnaces. This transfer, as well as he did avoid fires, allowed also to better preserve the secrets of a reputed glass factory and the security of raw material stocks the warehouse also bore the name of "House of the poisons.
The activity of the island quickly took an industrial dimension which gave him wealth and fame. She became the great manufacture of glass and crystal of Venice. Murano is then subject to strict regulations because of the importance of this industry in the trading of the Serenissima.
Some creations were protected by an exclusive permission from the Venetian State, due to the exceptional quality of the glass. Even the spies of the Republic are forbidden entry to the island of Murano. On the other hand, all master-worker who tried to deliver his knowledge out of the small territory is arrested and executed.
This boom earned its political independence in Murano. In the 13th century, the Serenissima granted the establishment of a Regional Council, the appointment of a mayor, the Faculty of coinage and the appointment of a Papal Nuncio responsible for diplomatic relations with Venice.
Murano took advantage of his new powers to create a guest book (which is exposed to the Museum of glass) where old families of industrial glass, like the Seguso, Barovier, Salviati who will pass on their trade secrets from generation to generation were registered.
The glass masters-workers thus held a title of nobility and enjoyed privileges such as the patricians of Venice, to which they could give their daughters in marriage.
For five centuries Murano was the base of a most successful industry, comparing with techniques of Bohemian crystal, she had done spy. Remember that Colbert, Minister of Louis XIV, was spying on Murano techniques for the Royal manufacture of mirrors of Saint-Gobain.
The factories of Murano, known all over the world, providing to the Court of France, at the Imperial Court of Austria, in the course of Italian Duchies, as in the Palace of Venice best full color crystal chandeliers, mirrors to cut glass frames, the wonderful Crystal with inlay in fine gold pieces, always find their place in the princely homes today and done always happiness to collectors.
