Storia del vetro di Murano
Le avventure dei vetrai muranesi emigrati in Francia nella seconda metà del '600
The Adventures of the Muranese Glassworkers who immigrated in France in the second half of the 17th Century
The history of the introduction of Venetian mirrors art in the 2nd half of 17 century has been already written, but maybe it is opportune to add some interesting details about three Muranese glass-makers, Antonio Cimegotto, Giovanni Civran e Gerolamo Barbini, who were the protagonists.
Everything began on June 1665, when the three, with some people of the same town, beat a priest and, fearing to be arrested, accepted the proposals of Marco Bormioli, who in those days was in Murano to employ the technicians with the Minister Colbert wanted to start the production of mirrors in France.
During almost three years, from August 1665 about ten Muranesi taught the craft to the Frenchmen. They didn't want to do it, but when they were drunk they revealed their secrets. Frightened by the death of one of them, they became convinced to come back to Italy with the promise of impunity, the payment of expenses of journey and permission to open a factory with the funds of the guild of mirror-makers. The third promise wasn't kept and the three Muranese began the business but they couldn't continue it. In 1670, looking back with regret on the days of France, they tried to come back but Colbert didn't want them
Paolo Zecchin Via Cappuccina 13 Mestre
Venezia
The Adventures of the Muranese Glassworkers who immigrated in France in the second half of the 17th Century
The history of the introduction of Venetian mirrors art in the 2nd half of 17 century has been already written, but maybe it is opportune to add some interesting details about three Muranese glass-makers, Antonio Cimegotto, Giovanni Civran e Gerolamo Barbini, who were the protagonists.
Everything began on June 1665, when the three, with some people of the same town, beat a priest and, fearing to be arrested, accepted the proposals of Marco Bormioli, who in those days was in Murano to employ the technicians with the Minister Colbert wanted to start the production of mirrors in France.
During almost three years, from August 1665 about ten Muranesi taught the craft to the Frenchmen. They didn't want to do it, but when they were drunk they revealed their secrets. Frightened by the death of one of them, they became convinced to come back to Italy with the promise of impunity, the payment of expenses of journey and permission to open a factory with the funds of the guild of mirror-makers. The third promise wasn't kept and the three Muranese began the business but they couldn't continue it. In 1670, looking back with regret on the days of France, they tried to come back but Colbert didn't want them
Paolo Zecchin Via Cappuccina 13 Mestre
Venezia