Born between 75 and 50 BC, the glass industry flourished in the 12th century in Venice (Italy), on the island of Murano. The splendour of the objects produced by the Venetian glass masters conquered the European courts of the Renaissance. The technique of mouth-blown glass has hardly changed since then, as have the tools used (hollow cane, pallets and tongs). In 1909, René Lalique filed a patent perfecting the moulded-pressed technique for the mass production of bottles, carafes and vases with an opening narrower than their inner body. He wanted to make beautifully crafted objects available to everyone.