Murano glass, maiolica and Renaissance workshops

Italy led Europe in glass, ceramics, printing and furniture.

On Murano Angelo Barovier produced cristallo, an almost colourless glass, around 1450. In Faenza, Deruta and Urbino maiolica was painted with scenes from mythology. Rich families commissioned wedding chests, cassoni, and studioli with intarsia.

In Venice Aldus Manutius published books in italic type and in a small format. Goldsmiths such as Benvenuto Cellini worked as sculptors in gold and silver.