Glassmaking in Renaissance Venice

W. Patrick McCray, University of California - Santa Barbara, USA

• Contents: Introduction; Glass, ceramics, and society; The nature and limitations of available sources of information; Technological change and the role of consumer demand; The plan of this book; Masters of the Gold of Christendom: Renaissance Venice, the World Economy, and Luxury Goods: Introduction; Venice in the Renaissance world economy; Artisans, guilds, and the Venetian State; The economic geography of Venice and Murano; Capitalism, consumerism, and conspicuous consumption; Luxury goods in the Renaissance culture and economy; A note on the Venetian monetary system; Master Aldrevandin’s World: Glassmaking in Pre-Renaissance Venice: Introduction; Glassmaking in the past; Early glassmaking traditions in the Veneto; Glassmaking in medieval Venice; The glassmakers of medieval Venice and their products; The technology of glass production in pre-Renaissance Venice; Questions of origins and influence; The Renaissance Venetian glass industry - a self-catalyzed phenomenon; Demystifying the Demand for Renaissance Glass: Introduction; Why glass?; The functions of Renaissance glass; Desire defined: Two favoured qualities of Renaissance Venetian glass; Conclusion; Desire Fulfilled: The Technology of Glassmaking in Renaissance Venice: The introduction and innovation of new luxury glasses; Luxury glassmaking technology in Renaissance Venice; The final product; The social organisation of Venetian glassmaking; Venetian glassmaking and the Renaissance economy; Venetian glassmaking in context: Some concluding remarks; Consumers and Competitors: The Distribution of Glass and Glassmaking Knowledge: Introduction; The distribution of glass; Technology transfer and Renaissance glassmaking; Epilogue: The Innovations of Renaissance Venetian Glass; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

'This is an excellent book ... It [brings] together in a refreshing way the history of luxury and consumer culture in Venice and the technology and organization of glassmaking.' Professor Maxine Berg, University of Warwick 'McCray provides a detailed and rich account of an area crucial to Venice’s identity.' Choice, Vol. 37 No. 10 ’McCray’s description of renaissance glass technology is authoritative, and his account of the way in which colourless glass (cristallo) came to be perfected is the best available.’ Burlington Magazine ’The volume has detailed notes, analytical tables and bibliography, which in themselves make it an indispensable handbook. It will appeal to a wide readership as the best introduction to Venetian renaissance glassmaking, particularly in its technical aspects, available in English.’ Burlington '... careful research, fascinating details, and varied perspectives will undoubtedly make Glassmaking in Renaissance Venice useful to historians of early modern technology and material culture.' Technology and Culture '...McCray's book is the first to investigate the Venetian glassmaking industry fully...' Sixteenth Century Journal 'W. Patrick McCray offers an erudite and comprehensive study, which benefits enormously from the wide range of sources and methodologies he brings to bear... this is overwhelmingly an insightful book... The author [...] has an excellent product...' ISIS