Sammlung Pauly & Co., Murano-Glas/-Objekte 113
Compagnia Venezia-Murano -
Pauly & Co.
For centuries the island of Murano near Venice was -and still is- reputed for its exquisite glass production.
This reputation is based on few periods of great bloom, but -often forgotten- which were alternated with
long periods of decline. The last great period began in the late nineteenth century and continued throughout
the twentieth century. A handful of pioneers which was financially backed-up by foreign investors re-discovered
and revived techniques lost since long. It was however not only the unequalled handicraft which
created Murano’s reputation, but the simultaneously emerging distribution networks. While crowded
with excellent craftsmen, Murano in the late nineteenth century lacked promotion. In order to survive, the
few companies who had an artistic output had to maintain close ties with local retail companies, often
headed by foreigners selling to foreigners.
Glass retailers were widely spread over Venice, but the important ones were all to be found around San
Marco Square. Among the most famous and long-lasting was the Compagnia Venezia-Murano - Pauly
& Co. originally two different entities but which merged in October 1920.
Compagnia Venezia-Murano was the oldest, founded in London in 1866 as Società Anonima Salviati &
Co. In 1872, the company changed name and became The Venice and Murano Glass and Mosaic
Company, in Italy shortened to Compagnia Venezia-Murano. The glassworks contributed considerably
to the Venetian glass renaissance by their research for lost techniques. In 1910 however, all production
was ceased and the company henceforth concentrated on retail.
M.V.M.-Cappellin Pauly & Co. was founded as an export company in 1902, and sold aside glass also
furniture, marble and bronze statues. Beside a large retail space directly on San Marco Square, the
company occupied a large palace at the Ponte dei Consorzi just behind San Marco.
In 1919, Pauly & Co., Compagnia Venezia-Murano and Successori Rigo & Co. were bought by the
Società Anonima Sanitaria, a Milanese investors company, who in turn sold them to Luigi “Gaetano”
Ceschina in 1920. The latter liquidated Successori Rigo & Co. and continued retail with C.V.M.-Pauly &
Co. Between 1925 and 1928 the company had a commercial glass production of its own with furnaces
at the Colonna stop on Murano. After 1929 a limited glass production was continued at the premises
of the Ponte dei Consorzi in Venice until 1939. The retail shops closed in 1940, but were re-opened by
Ceschina’s son Renzo in 1946.
The present catalogue offers a selection of remaining historical inventory from both these important companies.
Aside significant specimen, acquired directly from the finest companies on Murano such as Venini
& Co., M.V.M.-Cappellin, Seguso vetri d’arte and Cirillo Maschio, some proper production is among
these offerings. While profound research of model drawings and catalogues of various factories -some
of which were short-lived- is still ongoing, at this time a precise identification was not always possible.
But in those cases: let the obvious quality speak for itself.
Marc Heiremans, Antwerpen, October 2018.