Oggetti was founded in 1975 by Robert and Nancy Frehling. The Frehlings were already operating; Nessa Gaulois in Miami, one of the finest gift, accessory and bridal stores. Their retail exposure made them keenly aware of the preferences of affluent retail customers as well as the needs of the store owner. This has informed their decision-making and product selection for Oggetti, keeping them always up-to-date and market-savvy.
Originally the entire collection was imported from Italy and marketed solely under the "Oggetti" trademark. In fact, the word "oggetti" means "objects" in Italian and is used to describe accessories for the home. Oggetti offers a wide range of Italian made fixtures, from hot and colorful to cool and elegant, the lamps are hand-crafted with great design and flair and often signed by the artist. Oggetti collection includes everything from globes that are glass, and one Oggetti collection utilizes beautiful bone china and then another Oggetti fixture will feature mosaic made from resin. Oggetti table lamps and torcheres, Oggetti hanging pendants and ceiling mounts, as well as sconces, Oggetti continues to offer the lighting customer a wide selection of beautiful hand crafted styles.
One division of the parent company Oggetti also uses the name Oggetti Luce, they are known today primarily for their glass fixtures. Oggetti has been working on the island of Murano, Italy near Venice for almost thirty years and knows the glassblowing craft in that area intimately. Oggetti has also been showing Swedish glass for many years, drawn to its clean lines and classic forms. Most recently pieces have been added from the historical glass making regions in Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic and Lithuania. It is clear that the Oggetti quest is for beauty, design, function and art.
Murano glass, as used in the tradition of Oggetti’s hand crafted fixtures stems from a long history of glass crafters within Italy. In fact, the oldest document relating to Venetian glassmaking goes back to 982 A.D. By the late 13th century the glassmakers were removed to the nearby island of Murano, both to protect the city of Venice from fire and to safeguard the secrets of the craft. Originally Venetian glass was a soda glass like that of the Eastern Mediterranean; in fact, the formula may have come to Venice as a result of the great commerce between the city of Venice and the Mid-East.
By the end of the Renaissance numerous techniques had been developed by the Italians. "Lattimo" or white glass and then "cristallo" or colorless glass came into use. Decoration was accomplished with enamel and, most typical of Murano, with various filigree canes. Invention continued during the Baroque era of the 17th century; ornate forms, "aventurina" glass and complicated engraving became commonplace.
A lull followed during the 18th century as competition worldwide increased. By the late 19th century however, Murano, was again in the forefront of the glass craft, reproducing old designs in an ever more beautiful way. After World War I Murano began forging a new style which found its height during the Thirties with important designers like Carlo Scarpa, Flavio Poli and Ercole Barovier. Simple lines, thick glass walls and humor characterized the glass of that era. Innovation has continued through the end of the 20th century. Numerous glass furnaces exist today in Murano and a wide range of articles are produced.
Oggetti has been following the changes on the island for over 25 years, always alert to both the venerable glass families and the talented upstarts. This familiarity has enabled the Frehlings, who do all the resourcing, to continually show the very best of Murano, in all of Oggetti’s collections, and the very best of the old as well as the best of the new.
Lighting Designer: Oggetti
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