[MR] Wikipedia: Venetian Glass

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Venice was long noted for making the finest glass in Europe, and especially
during the middle ages its glass products were prized by those with enough
coin to enjoy such luxuries.

One this date in 1291, the rulers of Venice banished all the glassmakers
and their workshops to the nearby island of Murano, a little over a mile
north of Venice proper. This was done for two reasons: the threat of fire
from the workshops, and to protect secrets of the glassmakers from
competitors. Glassmakers were only allowed to leave Murano with permission
under penalty of death. On the other hand, the glassmakers were highly
honored in Venice and received special privileges.

The Murano glassmakers developed many new techniques, including extremely
clear glass, milky glass that resembled porcelan, mirrors and colorful
beads. For what it is worth, several possible Murano beads have been
uncovered in excavations on Oak Island off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Today high-quality glassmaking is still the main industry on Murano.

You can read more about Venice glass at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_glass .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant in business.