Glass in Tuscany today

If we are talking purely about glass, and not crystal - where Colle Val d'Elsa monopolises 95% of national production, and 15% of world production, so much so as to be called the 'City of Crystal' - today it is above all Empoli that boasts a significant production activity linked in particular to green glassware, a shade of colour that derives from the sands extracted from the local rivers and along the Tyrrhenian coastline particularly rich in iron oxide, and has become so renowned as to be called 'verde Empoli'.

In the beginning, containers were mainly required for the storage and presentation of food, remembering that we are adjacent to the Chianti lands.
This is how the traditional flasks were born, which for years were on typical Italian tables. But then there was a natural evolution that saw the development of tableware and furnishings in white, coloured and crystal glass, lighting articles, bottles and demijohns in green glass.

Even today, glass processing, which requires specific craftsmanship, follows the techniques of the past. These involve shaping the glass paste by hand or using metal rods with which mouth-blowing is carried out. With the help of special moulds and tools, objects of the most varied shapes can then be obtained.

Some workshops specialise in engraving and decorating glass objects. At several factories, for the artistic working of Tuscan glass, it is possible to purchase vases, glasses, trays, cups, crystals made of white and coloured glass and also traditional rustic glass: green and blue jugs and glasses.

Some current Empoli glass factories

Finally, we would like to point out some names of current glass manufacturers that are active today.

Vetreria Etrusca: in the half-white colour produced by Vetreria Etrusca, sustainability and Tuscan tradition coexist. The half-white is particularly popular in the distillery sector because of its colour harmony and soft colour tone. An eco-friendly choice with a high percentage of recycled glass.

Some current Empoli glass factories

Finally, we would like to point out some names of current glass manufacturers that are active today.

Vetreria Etrusca: in the half-white colour produced by Vetreria Etrusca, sustainability and Tuscan tradition coexist. The half-white is particularly popular in the distillery sector because of its colour harmony and soft colour tone. An eco-friendly choice with a high percentage of recycled glass.

Also worthy of mention are the S.V.E glassworks and the S.a.v.e glassworks, both of which have an ancient glassmaking tradition.

See also:
Museo del Vetro di Empoli 

Itinerari Scientifici In Toscana

The history of glass production in Tuscany

Bibliography:
Taddei ed Etrusca. Arte e industria del vetro a Empoli nel primo 900