The origin of glass is very ancient and still mysterious: the Phoenicians and the Egyptians competed for centuries with one an other to who had discovered it’s fabrication for first. According to Plinio, glass was discovered accidentally by some Phoenicians merchants around the year 5000 b.C. Having landed in Syria, on the banks of the River Belo, they lit a fire and used blocks of nitrate, taken from the cargo they were transporting, to rest their pans on.

The morning after the natron had melted because of the heat of the fire and mixed with the sand on the beach producing a new transparent liquid. The Phoenicians immediately realized the importance of the discovery, and organized an industry in their cities of Tiro and Sidone, that started the productions of objects with the new material: glass. The Egyptians also used it: amulets and objects were found inside their sepulchres, constructed in 4000 b.C.

The Etruschian where also known to have used glass in several variations: bottles, amphoras and perfume-bottles, often finely worked. However, the Romans gave a decisive contribution to the development of the glass industry. Around 100 b.C. they started the blowing production within moulds, increasing therefore the possible range of handmade objects, including geometric shaped bottles, called Roman bottles, that will then become a model for the following glass containers.

During the Roman Empire, glass knew a period of great spread, that culminated with a very refined production. After the fall of the Empire, the barycentre of the culture returned to the East. In the high Middle Ages the art of glass was conserved and improved dramatically thanks to the frequent contacts with the city of Bisanzio, which remained the centre of the production of this precious mineral for a long time. From here the new art developed all around Europe, above all in Bohemia. The realization of lead crystal goes back to 1700 a.C. and from that moment on it has always been appreciated for its extraordinary beauty. During the last centuries up to dates, crystal has become the symbol of wealth and nobility, a bright material that gives off an ancient fascination.