Hidden in a Cannaregio street lies the Fornace Orsoni. This isn’t just any furnace. It’s the oldest in the world specializing in glass mosaics. Since 1888 this remarkable place has crafted shimmering masterpieces. These adorn grand buildings across the globe. From London’s Westminster to Bangkok’s golden Buddhas. Orsoni mosaics even grace the opulent palaces of Saudi Arabia. The Teatro de l’Opéra in Paris and Venice’s own Basilica di San Marco boast its exquisite work.
Angelo Orsoni a Murano native ignited this legacy. His passion for mosaic art stemmed from his apprenticeship under Giandomenico Facchina. Facchina a renowned artist gifted Orsoni his workshop in 1888. The following year Angelo showcased his skill at the Paris International Exhibition. He displayed a breathtaking multicolored panel. This consisted of over 3000 mosaic pieces. The panel’s success was astounding. It even caught the eye of Antoni Gaudí. He selected Orsoni’s mosaics exclusively for the Sagrada Familia in Spain.
The Fornace Orsoni thrived during the Art Nouveau era. Mosaic work once mainly for religious art became highly fashionable. This led to the Fornace’s growth until the 1960s. In 2003 it joined the TREND Group. A hotel Domus Orsoni opened in 2004. This showcased mosaic art by various Italian artists.
Today at the Fornace you witness the magic. Sand soda opacifiers and metal oxides transform at over 1300 degrees. They become a vibrant glass paste. A roller creates glass blocks then cooled and cut by hand. The results are spectacular. The adjacent Color Library is a treasure trove. It houses over 3500 shades of glass. This includes 32 varieties of Orsoni’s world-renowned mosaic gold. Creating this involves a detailed process. 24-karat gold leaf sits between two layers of glass. One thin layer protects it the other provides support. The gold is then aged in the furnace.
The Fornace Orsoni’s commitment to quality is unmatched. Its products are highly sought after. They are used in prestigious residences and by renowned artists. Angelo Orsoni’s ingenuity extends beyond artistry. He invented a rotary cylinder press. This compresses the incandescent glass paste resulting in uniform surfaces. A very similar tool is still used today to create the small mosaic tiles. A visit to this Venetian gem reveals more about its craftsmanship. It’s a true testament to Italian artistry and innovation.