The history of Venetian Polished plaster

Many people we speak with today have never heard of Venetian plaster, polished plaster, marmorino, or stucco and seem to have the idea that these are a new invention.

Many of the earliest Venetian plasters contained goats milk and even blood in the ingredients with a lime stone base and marble powder and chippings..

Venetian stuccowork origins date back thousands of years. Architectural plasters were used in the eastern areas of Iran and thereon spread through Mesopotamia.(referring to the region now known as modern Iraq, parts of eastern Syria, Kuwait, southeastern Turkey, and southwest Iran).
Excavations on Malta island in the Tarxien complex unveiled the remains of plasters and decor coming from a period dated from 3000 B.C.
As the Venetian stucco spread from east to west it collected the cultures and designs of the peoples including colours through pigments.
Eventually spreading through southern Europe, notably ancient Rome and Greece.
Since around 900 BC it was used by ancient Egyptians in architectural spaces, it was a product known for its durability and anti mold-mildew properties

Though plaster was originarly used for utilitarian purposes replacing common baked clay, historical and archaeological  evidence has shown plaster grouted with lime replaced the traditional bitumen adhesive used with common baked clay.

Venetian plaster techniques were rediscovered by the famous Italian Architect Andrea Palladio during the 16th century.
His influence of the now famous Palladian style of neo-classical houses and villas
His facades and exteriors have gained great respect, combining classical lines with Renaissance simplicity, but much of his skill lay in interior planning, which produced buildings which not only please the eye, but also allow the owners to use the space very effectively, and with great concern for anti mould-mildew architecture in sea level Venice.
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