Throughout the 15th and 16th Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Scuba 15701ST.OO.D002CA.01 Mens Watch Centuries, Murano glass maintained it dominant position. Most fine glassware in Europe came from Murano. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that the situation started to change. Portugal, followed by Spain, Holland and England, had started to explore the new world, establishing colonies all over the globe. It was a situation that led to Venice losing much of it importance as the traditional trading post between East and West, and the effects where also felt by the Murano glassmakers.Venice economy was more dependent on it manufactured goods. Much effort was made to preserve the leading position of the Murano glassmakers. The Renaissance, and later colonization, had brought with it Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Scuba 15701ST.OO.D002CA.01 Mens Watch an increase in wealth throughout Europe, there was a greater demand for artistic glassware.
In 1291, the Grand Council of Venice forced the glassworkers to move out of the city, and encouraged them to settle on the nearby island of Murano. The official reason was the fire risk from the furnaces and kilns, but subsequent events suggest the real motive was part of a plan to build a center of excellence for glass working. The Venetians used their trading skills to establish a monopoly on quality soda ash from the middle east, combined with the high quartz Venetian sands it ensured they had the best materials. The Glass makers guild was given the highest possible status, it members were allowed to wear swords and mix with nobility, but they were not allowed to leave the city and take their skills elsewhere.As a result of these changes, by the 14th Century Murano had established itself as the principal glass center of Europe, and enjoyed a virtual monopoly on artistic glass wares Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Scuba 15701ST.OO.D002CA.01 Mens Watch and glass jewelry.
