Large vintage chandelier. Hand-blown Murano glass. The main part of the chandelier made of black glass is decorated with many flowers and petals made of transparent glass, which gives it a unique charm and style. Italy, 20th century.

The first written mentions of glass products in Venice date back to the 10th century. But until the 13th century, Venetian glass was not much different from European glass. However, in the 13th century, the situation changed. Glass samples, mosaics brought from Constantinople by Doge Enrico Dandolo and the masters of the captured city themselves helped Venetian glassblowers significantly improve their technology.

Already at the end of the 13th century, the masters moved from Venice to the island of Murano and became the official suppliers of the kings. Murano glass was distinguished by its purity and transparency: transparent glass was valued on a par with precious stones. At the same time, the signature filigree appeared - this effect was achieved by adding glass threads of a different color to the glass mass. The secret of making pure colored glass remained a secret for a long time due to special conditions created by the authorities for the craftsmen and constant surveillance of the main keepers of the secrets of "transparent gold". In addition to good income, the government gave glassblowers permission to enter into morganatic marriages: craftsmen and their relatives had the right to intermarry with the nobility.

The first chandeliers made of Murano glass appeared in the 15th century. The Venetian nobility competed with each other, decorating their mansions with lamps with garlands of flowers and leaves. The chandeliers were so expensive that the cost of one could be compared to the price of a ship. The dimensions of the lamps made of precious - in the literal sense of the word - glass were enormous: a specimen 2 meters high and 2.5 meters wide was considered modest.