Nizioleti di Venezia

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Nizioleti Nizioleti - Crafts
nizioleti

NIZIOLETI - CRAFTS

Acqua dolce (Fresh water): comes from the fact that the boats stationed here were laden with fresh water that was used to supply several wells of the town. The craft was exercised by Acquaroli.

Acquavita (Spirit): derives from the presence of liquor shops. Sellers of spirits, the Acquavitai, and Caffettieri, who traded in rum, coffee, ice and liqueurs, belonged to the same congregation.

Balanze (Scales): by the presence of Stadereri workshops, who produced and sold scales, and pertained to the Fabbri (blacksmiths) profession.

BarbaFrutarol (Greengrocer): derives from the presence, in the past, of a grocer (Fruttarol) who wore a thick and peculiar beard.

Barbier (Barber): derives from the presence of barbers' shops. The art of Barbieri was united with that of the Parrucchieri (hairdressers). The former took care of men's beards, while the latter were only concerned with hair. Interestingly, hairdressers had no great job, until fashion wigs became popular, because both men and women used to take care of their hair by themselves.

Barcaroli (Boatmen): from the presence of stations for boats or gondolas, which were provided by the Barcaroli.

Baretteri (Cap manufacturers): by the presence of cap shops and stores, made of wool and cotton, and produced according to the fashion of the period.

Bari (Caps): derives, according to some sources, from the presence of cap shops.

Bastion (Tavern): from the name, Bastion, that was the name of the big taverns selling wine and managed by Bastioneri.

Beccarie (Butcher's shops): derives its name from of the slaughter and butcher's shops of the ancient city.

Becher (Butcher): responsible for managing the procurement, slaughter and sale of beef in the city, especially in the public area used to this: the Beccaria.

Bombardieri (Bombers): derives from the presence of the headquarters of the brotherhood of the Bombardieri, who took care of artillery during the battles Venice was involved in, and for the rest fo the time played a role similar to the current traffic wardens.

Bombaseri (Cotton traders): derives from the presence of various Bombaseri shops, who formed a congregation having its headquarters in San Bortolomio, and traded in Bambace, i.e. carded cotton.

Botteri (Barrel makers): derives from the presence of shops and stores of Bottigieri or Botteri, who were engaged in the production of barrels, vats and bottles.

Bottonera (Button factory): from the presence of a factory, manufacturing buttons.

Burchielle (Barges): from the presence of the barges used by Burceri to transport various types of materials, as wood, masonry, sand or water.

Caffettier (Coffee trader): from the presence of coffee shops. The Caffettieri, who traded in rum, coffee, ice and liqueurs, and the Acquavitai, who traded in spirits, belonged to the same congregation.

Calcina (Mortar): from the presence of a shop of mortar. The Calcinai produced and sold bricks and mortar and formed a congregation based in San Vio.

Calderer (Boiler maker): derives from the presence of a boiler workshops, which owners belonged to the congregation of blacksmiths. The Caldierari were engaged in the production of copper boilers and pots for cooking polenta, a local food made of boiled corn flour.

Callegheri (Shoemakers): from the presence of the school of Calegheri (shoemakers). The Calegheri produced shoes, and were united with Zavateri, who produced slippers.

Campane (Bells): from the Campanati craftsmanship, i.e. producers of bells.

Cappeller (Hat makers): from the presence of hat workshops, where the Cappelleri produced hats

Carrozze (Carriages): from the Carozzeri craftsmanship. They produced carriages, mostly used outside the city. They belonged to the same congregation as Seleri, manufacturers of saddles, Tapezieri, who created upholstery for chairs and sofas, and Bolzeri, who produced luggage, bags and trunks.

Casaria (Cheese shop): from the presence of a cheese shop. As a matter of fact, the shop owners, called Casaroli, did not only sell cheese; they could also trade in honey, oil and pork.

Casselleria (Chest shop): from the presence of a shop casseleri, who produced boxes for merchandise transportation, and casselle, i.e. ebony chests, adorned with ivory and nacre, used to store the bridal trousseau.

Cendai (Cloth stripe makers): from the presence of a factory of strips of cloth called cendà, that were used to adorn the female dresses of the period.

Cerchieri (Barrel ring makers): from the presence of shops, where the Cercheri produced the iron rings needed to hold together barrels staves.

Cereri (Wax merchants): merchants and manufacturers of wax objects. They were part of the same congregation as the Spezieri da Grosso, whose job was to prepare sweets, usually made of almonds, pears and other fruits, covered with sugar and honey. The Cereri, on their side, were able to produce such accurate wax imitations of those sweets, as to make it difficult to tell them from the real ones.

Cereria (Wax workshop): from the presence of a wax workshops, owned by Cereri.

Coltrera (Blanket workshop): from the presence of blanket workshops; the Coltreri belonged to the same congregation as Fustagneri, who produced and sold cotton and moleskin, located in the church of San Bortolomio.

Comare (Midwife): after the plays of Goldoni, the famous Venetian playwright, this term acquired a second meaning of chatty woman.

Corazzeri (Armor makers): those who produced and sold armor.

Cordaria (Rope workshop): from the presence of a series of workshops of Cordaroli, who produced ropes and cables. They belonged to the same congregation as Filocanevi, who produced hemp strings and ropes, an activity that was allowed to Venice citizens only, because the Venetian Republic held the monopoly of hemp import from the Caspian Sea.

Cordoni (Cords): from the presence of shops owner by Pasamaneri, ie producers of silk trimmings, cords for clothes, ribbons and fringes.

Corli (Spinning wheels): from the presence of some workshops where Corli, i.e. spinning wheels, were produced.

Cuoridoro (Gilded leather craftsmen): the Cuoridoro produced gilded leather objects, used to decorate rooms, book covers, chairs and other things.

Diamanter (Precious stones craftsmen): the Diamanter worked precious stones, gems and diamonds on behalf of goldsmiths and jewelers.

Fabbri (Blacksmiths): from the presence of blacksmith shops, one of the most important crafts in town, as they produced the vast majority of working tools for the rest of the city's professions.

Facchini (Porters): they were present in each district, and were engaged in various activities, including cleaning wellheads.

Felzi (Ferns): old roofs of gondolas, produced by the Felzeri. The name seems to derive from the fact that during the summer, instead of covering them with fabric, ferns were used for keeping cooler the gondola interior.

Ferali (Lamps): from the presence of lamp workshops, produced by the Feraleri. Given the particular nature of the city, for the safety of people walking at night, the Senate gradually extended the presence of lamps and lanterns (called cesendeli), paid with the contributions of all citizens, in all of the streets. The Feraleri and the Peteneri de Testa, who produced and sold combs, were parte of the same congregation.

Filatoio (Spinning workshop): where spinners of silk and other fabrics worked.

Fiori (Flowers): from the presence of shops of Fioreri, who grouped flower vendors and gardeners.

Fiubera (Buckle workshops): from the presence of shops of Fiuberi, who manufactured buckles, used to adorn men's shoes, and by the Centureri, for the production of belts for men and women (the latter called Cao), made of precious materials such as gold and silver, or of leather.

Fontego (Flour shop): public store of flour, in charge of the Fontegheri.

Formagier (Cheese vendor): FROM the presence of cheese vendor's shops. The Formaggeri were allowed to branch from the Casaroli from a certain point in time, because for a long time the profession was subject to monopoly and allowed only in some specific areas of the city.

Forner (Baker): the most important occupation of the Forneri, at that time, was to bake bread in the ovens, then sell it. Often noble families also used the bakeries to bake their own home-made bread.

Frezzaria (Arrow shop): that was an area used for selling arrows, a profession practiced by the Frezeri and the Frezaroli.

Fruttarol (Greengrocer): from the presence of Grocery stores. The Fruttaroli, whose job was to sell fruit and eggs, were united with the Naranzeri, selling oranges and citrus fruits, and with Erbaroli, selling vegetables.

Furatola (Friggitoria): small shops held by Furatoleri, selling fried foods. Given the strong rivalry with the Luganegheri, some kinds of food could not be sold in the furatole, because they were of exclusive pertinence of Luganegheri, neither could be served wine or cheese. The furatole also could not be operated by priests or clerks.

Fuseri (Spindle makers): manufacturers of spindles.

Garzotti (Carders): those who brushed their clothes of wool, by means of specific tools, called garzi, to raise the hair of the fabric.

Guardiani (Watchmen): derives from the presence, in the area, of watchmen of a school of worship.

Indorador (Gilder): their craft consisted of gilding objects with gold leaves. This art was  among the most renowned in town so that gilders were requently required for jobs outside Venice.

Lavadori (Washers): the craft of wool washers, who washed wool clothes and then hung them to dry on wooden poles, thay were set in holes in the stones of buildings.

Lavezzara (Dish repair): from the craft of Lavezzeri, whose job was to repair copper objects and dishes.

Librer (Bookseller): bookseller's trade, in common with that of printers.

Luganegher (Sausage maker): this craft included sausage makers and grocers, in whose shops soups and stews were also sold.

Lustraferi (Iron polishers): those who, by means of various tools were engaged in making iron objects shine, with special regard to prow irons of gondolas.

Magazen (Shops): premises where the wine was sold and where, in addition, you could also find a place to lie with prostitutes. The shopkeepers were called Magazinieri de Vin.

Mandoler (Almond traders): the Mandoleri sold almonds and dried fruit, and produced almond oil. They were united with the Spezieri da Grosso, who prepare cakes, usually made with almonds, pears and other fruits, and covered with sugar and honey.

Manganer (Cloth polishers): the Manganeri were responsible for polishing cloths of wool and silk. The name comes from the mangano, that is the tool used for polishing cloths and garments, made of large stones, and moved by means of winches.

Marangon (Carpenter): carpenters had great importance in Venice, where for a long time houses , bridges and ships were built on wood. The Marangoni were subdivided according to their tasks in Marangoni da Case, who took care of buildings, Marangoni da Noghera, who took care of furniture, Marangoni da Soaze, who built frames (soaze), Marangoni da Rimessi, who worked of veneers, and Marangoni da Nave, who worked at the city's Arsenale for the construction of large Venetian ships. Given their importance, even the bell that sounded the working start time in the city was called Marangona.

Margaritera (Daisy traders): comes from the craft of the Margariteri, who for a period of time were associated with the Perleri, whose job was to build and sell various items such as flowers and necklaces made of enameled or painted glass.

Mercanti (Merchants): one of the most important professions, practiced throughout the life of the Venetian Republic. The merchants were subdivided into various subcategories depending on the goods traded, from wood to wine, from silk to oil and many more.

Murer (Mason): very skilled professionals from ancient times, who uses wood and stone from Istria in such a combination and technique that even today the town houses are very solid, although build on a ground that is far from stable.

Occhialera (Eyeglasses shop): workshop for production and sale of eyeglasses, a profession practiced by the Ochialeri, who were included in the Marzeri (grocers).

Oresi (Goldsmiths): comes from the craft of the Orefici, who were united with Zoielieri (jewelers) and the Diamanteri. As for a certain period of time the Oresi were only allowed to hold shops in the Rialto area, most of the profession grew up around this area.

Parrucchier (Hairdresser): the art of Parrucchieri was united with that of the Barbieri (barbers). The former took care of men's hair, while the latter were only concerned with beards. Interestingly, hairdressers had no great job, until fashion wigs became popular, because both men and women used to take care of their hair by themselves.

Pegola (Pitch): the production of pitch (pegola), used especially in the Arsenale for ship construction, was done by the Calafai, also called Pegolotti.

Pestrin (Milkman): from the craft of Pestrineri, who processed and sold milk and dairy products.

Pignate (Pots): from the presence of a shop owned by a Pignater (pot maker). This craft was united to that of the Bocaleri (mug makers) and Squeleri (bowl makers), and was concerned of production and sale of pots and pans, dishes and lids.

Pirieta (Funnel shop): from the craft of tin workers, which specifically built pirie, i.e. funnels.

Pistor (Baker): those who were dedicated to the craft of baking bread, but were not allowed to sell it, because this activity it was reserved to Forneri.

Portinari (Doorkeeper): from the job of Portinai, who were in charge of opening and closing the gates of the Arsenale, to let ships enter and exit.

Remer (Oar maker): derives from the presence of a workshop of a manufacturer of oars.

Remurchianti (Tug): tug's job, which at that time was done using barges that towed boats and ships.

Sabbionera (Sand store): fron the craft of Sabioneri, who took care of transporting and sell sand and gravel, by means of large boats.

Saoneri (Soap makers): producers and sellers of soap, which at least until mid-1700 was one of the most earnest productions of the city.

Sartori (Tailors): from the craft of tailoring. For a period, they were divided according to the kind of garments they produced, so there were the Sartori da Veste, who produced dresses, the Sartori da Calza, who produced trousers, and the Sartori da Ziponi, who produced coats and jackets.

Sbianchesini (Painters): from tha craft of wall painters.

Scaleter (Confectioner): from the craft of donut production, a kind of pastry similar to the current one. Those craftsmen were called Scalateri from the typical sweet that they produced, made of thin wafer, and decorated with tiny steps like a staircase.

Scoacamini (Chimney sweeps): from the craft of chimney sweeps, who also took care of cleaning latrines.

Spadaria (Sword workshop): derives from the presence of various shops of sword producers and sellers. The Spaderi were united with Corteleri, who produced knives.

Specchiera (Mirror workshop): from the presence of workshops for the production of glass mirrors, an activity performed by the Specieri.

Spezier (Chemist): the Speziere can be considered similar to a pharmacist, since its job consisted in the preparation and sale of medicines. Among these, the most renowned one was called Triaca or Teriaca, made from countless ingredients, and prepared according to strict and well controlled rules. Due to this, Venice was recognised as a city producing the finest quality of this medicine, that was therefore requested by many foreign countries. The Spezieri, for a period of time, were united with the Spezieri da Grosso, whose job was to prepare sweets, usually made of almonds, pears and other fruits, covered with sugar and honey.

Squelini (Bowl makers): from the craft of bowl makers, called Squelini or Scudeleri, who were united with the Bocaleri (mug makers). Their place of reference was the Frari church.

Squero (Dockyard): from the presence of sites for the construction of boats and gondolas, a craft practiced by the Squeraroli.

Stagneri (Tinsmiths): manufacturers and sellers of tin objects, united with the Peltrieri, who produced and sold objects made of pewter.

Stramazzer (Mattress maker): manufacturer and seller of stramassi, i.e. matresses.

Strazze (Junk): comes from the craft of the Strazarioli, who traded in used items. The trade was strictly regulated, to prevent unfair competition by unofficial traders. They did not have the permission to trade in rags, though.

Stua (Barber shop): comes from the craft of the Stueri, also called Barbieri Chirurghi, a sort of surgeons, who weres in charge of nails, corns, teeth extraction, and bleeding.

Tagiapiera (Stonecutter): the craft of the Tagiapiere (stonecutters), together with masons, produced objects made of marble, which included wellheads.

Tapezier (Upholsterer): the Tapezieri produced and sold the upholstery for sofas and armchairs, and were united to Seleri, who took care of saddles, and Bolzeri, who took care of luggage, bags and trunks.

Terrassera (Floor making): from the craft of the Terrasseri, who built the tarassi, i.e. floors, among which the famous Venetian floor.

Testori (Weavers): from weaver's craft, a profession that was divided according to the type of fabrics woven, from wool to silk, linen, corduroy.

Tintori (Dyers): The Dyers were responsible for coloring silks, linens and fabrics in general. The technique for preparing dyes was jealously guarded for centuries by the representatives of the profession.

Vergola: from the craft of the Vergolai, who produced vergole, that are supposed to be cords of silk used to embellish clothes, or hair supporting nets.

Veriera (Glassware): fromn the craft of the Verieri, who produced glass objects.

mb, 2014-04-04

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