Arti
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
State Archives of Venice
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Campo dei Frari, San Polo 3002, 30125 Venice
Contact information: phone number
0039 0415222281
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
as-ve@archivi.beniculturali.it
Reference number
Arti
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Crafts
Title (official language of the state)
Arti
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Corporazioni di mestiere di Venezia
Date(s)
1422/1806
Language(s)
ita
Extent
730 folders
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Good
Scope and content
This fonds comprises 86 archives of "arti" (crafts guilds) organised in alphabetical order. The type of documentation concerning each corporation is variable, and sometimes the records are connected with other fonds and archives, such as those kept in the Museo Correr library.
Members of the Jewish community of Venice took part in or were related to some of these "arti", in particular those related to certain crafts, such as silk manufacturing or goldsmith and jewelry. Thus, for instance, we will find in the Orefici e gioiellieri series records on conflicts between the jeweler's guild of Venice and some Jewish traders that were said to be operating illegally in the 17th century (busta 422).
Members of the Jewish community of Venice took part in or were related to some of these "arti", in particular those related to certain crafts, such as silk manufacturing or goldsmith and jewelry. Thus, for instance, we will find in the Orefici e gioiellieri series records on conflicts between the jeweler's guild of Venice and some Jewish traders that were said to be operating illegally in the 17th century (busta 422).
Archival history
"Arti" archives belonged initially to the particular archive of each crafts guild. The oldest ones began to be regulated in the 12th century, but most of the oldest documentation was lost over time.
Nowadays, the documentation of about eighty "arti" is preserved in the Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Most of the material dates back to the 18th century, but some are older (often copies of lost documentation). Sometimes, a single document file brings together various pieces, sometimes belonging to different guilds. Other pieces of documentation ended up in other archival collections, such as the Museo Correr in Venice.
Nowadays, the documentation of about eighty "arti" is preserved in the Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Most of the material dates back to the 18th century, but some are older (often copies of lost documentation). Sometimes, a single document file brings together various pieces, sometimes belonging to different guilds. Other pieces of documentation ended up in other archival collections, such as the Museo Correr in Venice.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Corporazioni delle arti (guilds for arts and crafts) in Venice date back to the early days of the Venetian Republic, which began to regulate them in 1182. The first statutes of the Venetian corporazioni di mestiere (trade guilds) date from February 10, 1219, concerning the corporation that reunited the "sarti" (tailors).
The guilds were divided into those of "vittuaria" (innkeepers, bakers, etc.), manufacturers, and commerce, each included different "colonnelli" (officials) who practised one individual specialisation. In the census of April 30, 1762, the guilds reached the number of 112, with 33,931 registered members. The numerous guilds disappeared in the Napoleonic period, following the vice-royal decrees of April 25, 1806, and May 26, 1807, that prohibited brotherhoods, congregations, companies, and laymen organisations.
The Corporazioni were an expression of the limited autonomy of individuals in specific sectors. Their importance was considerable from an economic-financial point of view, not only for the activity carried out but also for investments and capital flux, due to the frequent recourse to loans, an expedient which they had to turn to in order to meet the large payments required by the Republic.
The guilds were divided into those of "vittuaria" (innkeepers, bakers, etc.), manufacturers, and commerce, each included different "colonnelli" (officials) who practised one individual specialisation. In the census of April 30, 1762, the guilds reached the number of 112, with 33,931 registered members. The numerous guilds disappeared in the Napoleonic period, following the vice-royal decrees of April 25, 1806, and May 26, 1807, that prohibited brotherhoods, congregations, companies, and laymen organisations.
The Corporazioni were an expression of the limited autonomy of individuals in specific sectors. Their importance was considerable from an economic-financial point of view, not only for the activity carried out but also for investments and capital flux, due to the frequent recourse to loans, an expedient which they had to turn to in order to meet the large payments required by the Republic.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is divided into several series, following the different "arti", which are arranged in alphabetical order. There are both general and specific numbering for each "arti".
Finding aids
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Archivio di Stato di Venezia | Collections (official language of the state) |