Murano (Italy) perfume and scent bottle

The history of Venetian and Murano glass dates back over 1,000 years. Venice was an important center for glassmaking in the Middle Ages, and by the 13th century, the city had established itself as the leading producer of glass in Europe.

During the Renaissance, the art of Venetian glassmaking reached its peak, with artisans producing some of the most exquisite glassware in the world. One of the most important innovations of this time was the development of cristallo, a type of clear glass that was almost as transparent as crystal. Cristallo was prized for its clarity and brilliance, and more... it quickly became a symbol of wealth and luxury.

In the 16th century, Venetian glassmakers faced a challenge when the city passed a law requiring all glass furnaces to be moved to the island of Murano. The law was passed in response to the risk of fire, which was high due to the wooden buildings in Venice. Despite the inconvenience of having to move their furnaces, Venetian glassmakers continued to thrive on Murano and continued to innovate.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Murano glassmakers developed new techniques, such as filigrana, which involved creating delicate, twisted glass threads, and zanfirico, which involved weaving together threads of colored glass. These techniques were used to create intricate patterns and designs, and they remain some of the most iconic styles of Venetian and Murano glass.

In the 19th century, Murano glass experienced a decline due to competition from other countries, such as France and England, which were producing cheaper glassware. However, in the early 20th century, a revival of Murano glass began, due in part to the efforts of artist and designer Vittorio Zecchin, who worked to modernize and streamline the production of Murano glass.

After World War II, Murano glass experienced a resurgence in popularity, with artists and designers from around the world flocking to Murano to learn from the masters of the craft. Murano glass is still produced using traditional techniques, with artisans using a combination of heat, blowing, and moulding to create exquisite pieces of glassware.

One of the most famous types of Murano glass is Venetian millefiori, which involves creating intricate patterns by fusing together small, colored glass rods. The process is time-consuming and requires great skill, but the resulting pieces are breathtakingly beautiful.

Another product from Murano glass are Venetian glass chandeliers. These magnificent pieces are made by combining hundreds or even thousands of individual glass pieces to create a stunning, multi-tiered chandelier. Venetian glass chandeliers are prized for their beauty and elegance, and they remain one of the most iconic examples of Murano glass.

Murano glass remains an important part of Venetian culture and history. Visitors to the island can tour the various glass factories and watch as artisans create intricate pieces of glassware by hand. less...

In the Victorian era scent bottles were often made of pressed glass, with silver or silver-plate rims and cut glass or imitation cut glass stoppers.

Generally, the customer purchased the bottle empty and had it filled by a chemist or perfumier, as ready filled bottles of perfume were not yet on the market.

The variety of shapes was enormous. The larger scent bottles were made in the shape of flagons or decanters. In the 1870s a new design was produced: the double ended bottle. This was a slim cylindrical bottle with a round or polygonal surface. Some were produced more... in clear glass, some coloured dark blue, red, green, or yellow, and some were decorated in the Nailsea style. At each end were silver or plated caps, which were heavily chased or moulded. One half of the bottle was for scent and usually had a screw cap, while the other end was hinged, often spring loaded for fast access, and was for smelling salts.

Some bottles hinged in the middle, and when you opened them there was the grating of a vinaigrette on one side and on the other a recess with a glass-covered photograph. The outer ends had normal hinge- or screw-caps so that either part of the bottle could be filled with scent.

The production of scent bottles continued into the twentieth century, though it became more customary to buy scent in ready-filled bottles from cosmetic houses. These 'package' bottles in themselves have become the object of much decorative skill, and no doubt in the not-too-distant future they will be sought after by collectors.

Some manufacturers supplied scent bottles with rubber bulbs, which could be attached to the top of the bottle to produce a fine spray of scent. Although some types of scent bottle can be expensive, there are still many examples available at a reasonable price. less...