Necklace, ca. 1915, Venetian, Glass, Bequest of Judge John Webb Green and Ellen McClung Green, 1957.3.68.1.
By the early 8th century, Venice had emerged as the leading manufacturer in the glass-making industry. It was not, however, until the mid- to late-13th century that Venetian glass began to acquire all of the characteristics it is renowned for today. Additionally, in the late-13th century, glass-making factories moved from the city to the island of Murano to reduce the risk of fires that could be caused by the use of furnaces. This necklace demonstrates the Venetian artisans control over glass color and transparencies, as well as various decorative elements. The glass bead is composed of a pale aqua and gold color with droplets of swirled glass in red, white, blue and yellow which add texture to the bead’s surface. Murano Glass is still considered to be the most skillfully produced and elaborately decorated glass in the world.