In these days of Fake News, I know it is difficult to believe anything at face value,
but I thought that Venetian blinds actually originated in that wonderful city. My illusions have been shattered, however.
It seems that the slatted venetian blinds were created first in Persia. Venetian merchants were famed travellers, seeking exotic and rare goods throughout the East, and it wasn’t long before they were importing the popular window coverings into Venice and Paris.
(As an aside in France this style of blind is known as Les Persienes rather than Venetian. Typical.)
Anyway, after being introduced to Europe in 1760 they rapidly became popular across the continent. They were particularly prized for their ability to regulate both light and air.
Venetian blinds were introduced into America by John Webster and they were quickly adopted by high society as well as appearing in many government and public office buildings.
Venetian blinds feature in many popular works of art from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Venetian Blind, for example, is the name of a piece painted by Edmund Charles Tarbell at the turn of the 18th century. The blinds also feature in J L Jerome’s famous painting, The Visit of Paul Jones to the Constitutional Convention and James Tissot’s 1872 painting Tea.
Fun Fact – one of the largest ever orders for Venetian blinds was given to the Burlington Venetian Blind Co. They supplied blinds for the windows of the Empire State Building.
The elegance of Venetian blinds has stood the test of time and they are still popular today as a functional yet stylish window covering.
If you need any help or advice on venetian blinds, please feel free to give Mike or Annette a call on 01452 551846.