PAOLO NASON
La NasonMoretti
NasonMoretti was founded in 1923 by Paolo’s grandfather and his brothers – although they separated at some point to open their own operations the name remains as the preeminent producer of table ware located in Calle dietro gli Orti.
In 1955 the company was awarded the Compasso d’oro at the Milan Triennale fair for their coloured bowl series of two-tone glass. The company still keeps the tradition of the multitude colours and shades – for example 22 different shades of green are used in production.
Paolo also refers to the difficult period during the war, when raw material was rationed – industrial production had to be scaled down and craftwork was mainly performed by women. The factory felt responsible to fulfill a social role.
Industrial glass production was moved out of Murano and from then on operated on a national industrial level. What is left today – one could say the little that was left – would be referred to as craftmanship.
Serial production – Paolo stresses – does not exist any longer. Unfortunately, Murano has not been able to protect its heritage nor its interests, eventually by not allowing the transfer of its know-how to other parts of the world.
And at the same time, it failed to create, deepen and promote the desire for local production, especially with the young generation.
The very theme of the copyright has still not satisfactorily been resolved. Paolo says: “For many, copyright seems to be the right to copy” – Developments of the sort are not illegal or prohibited – “If not prohibited it is authorized”
Selling and invoicing glass irrespective of the origin but carrying a Muranese label seems absolutely legal. Tourists are not conscious enough of the label they are purchasing and furthermore, they prefer to take home a small souvenir or to watch how glass is blown – there is hardly any interest in local production and products of the past tradition.
On the first floor close to the offices of the factory you can visit the museum – on display the long history of NasonMoretti’s drinking glass production.
