Although the history of glassmakers between late Antiquity and the year 1000 is scarcely documented, many useful clues can be learned from the few written accounts to reconstruct the ‘many sided figure’ of such artisans. In the past, paucity of information has discouraged any broad investigation of the subject and therefore it seems worthwhile to consider some of the causes for their absence from written history. Aside from the general lack of sources on craftsmanly labor of all kinds during the high Middle Ages, there is also their presumed isolation especially of glassmakers, who were compelled to work in suburban areas because of the dangers of fire and smoke which their activity entailed. Another consideration is that glassmakers carried little weight in western society and glass as a luxury was the the prerogative of the few. There may have been, as well, an ethnic factor because of the Hebrew origins of glassmakers that would account for their exclusion from the historical record . Finally, it has been noted that glassmakers were altogether the least mentioned artisans and their activity figured only exceptionally.
Glassmakers in the West between Antiquity and Middle Ages
DELL'ACQUA, Francesca
2004
Abstract
Although the history of glassmakers between late Antiquity and the year 1000 is scarcely documented, many useful clues can be learned from the few written accounts to reconstruct the ‘many sided figure’ of such artisans. In the past, paucity of information has discouraged any broad investigation of the subject and therefore it seems worthwhile to consider some of the causes for their absence from written history. Aside from the general lack of sources on craftsmanly labor of all kinds during the high Middle Ages, there is also their presumed isolation especially of glassmakers, who were compelled to work in suburban areas because of the dangers of fire and smoke which their activity entailed. Another consideration is that glassmakers carried little weight in western society and glass as a luxury was the the prerogative of the few. There may have been, as well, an ethnic factor because of the Hebrew origins of glassmakers that would account for their exclusion from the historical record . Finally, it has been noted that glassmakers were altogether the least mentioned artisans and their activity figured only exceptionally.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
