L'Arte vetraria distinta in libri sette... Ne quali si scoprono effetti maravigliosi et insegnano segreti bellissimi del vetro nel fuoco et altre cose curiose.

Bookseller Notes

A very good, well-margined copy, of illustrious provenance, of the first edition of this important early work on glass-making, written by the priest, alchemist and glass-maker Antonio Neri (1576-1614). L'Arte vetraria is an encyclopaedia of luxury glass-making, most lucrative for Venice, where recipes and techniques were noted in carefully-guarded 'books of secrets' banned from wide circulation. In Florence, regulations were less strict, and Duke Francis I encouraged the development of glass-making, especially cristallo. He and his son Antonio, Neri's dedicatee and collaborator, were interested in alchemy and the properties of glass, as key to the transmutation of matter.L'Arte vetraria comprises 'new secret techniques' which Neri invented or learnt from Muranese glass-makers. Intended for the production of luxury items, they were addressed to artisans working for wealthy patrons. Part I discusses the chemical production of crystal, and of numerous salts or pigments that beautify it (e.g., using the solid residue left by wine in barrels). Part II is devoted to specific pigments and 'oriental' colours, and the preparation of the necessary solvents, aqua fortis and aqua regia, using alchemical techniques (e.g., distillation, calcination, fire) and ingredients (e.g., vitriol). The remainder deal with gold and yellow pigments, colours derived from calcinated lead, blues and greens made from gemstones (e.g., emerald, topaz), and decorative goldsmiths' enamels. Rather than providing technical instructions, 'Neri's main intention was [] to bring together [] the body of knowledge that he regarded as an integral part of the alchemical work' (Beretta, 1060) he was conducting for the Medici. This copy was in the library of Pope Pius VI (1717-99), whose fine collection, dispersed after Napoleon's invasion, included works on science and technology reflecting his desire to promote craft industries and architecture.M. Beretta, 'Glassmaking Goes Public', Technology & Culture 58 (2017), 1046-60; A. Zavatti, Storia di una biblioteca papale (1933); M. Ceresa, 'Una biblioteca nella Rivoluzione', in Due papi per Cesena (1999), 213-31.