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Monumental Battuto-Incamiciato Murano Art Glass Vase, Italy, Late 1970s–1980s
€1,500€1,200-20%Bid from €900
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales
Product description
Monumental Battuto-Incamiciato Murano Art Glass Vase, Italy, Late 1970s–1980s
An exceptional monumental Murano art glass vase distinguished by its commanding sculptural form, technically accomplished cold-working, and dramatic interplay of colour, texture, and light.
Standing an impressive 30 cm high with a generous diameter of 28 cm, the vase represents the ambitious studio production that emerged on Murano during the final decades of the twentieth century, when traditional Venetian craftsmanship increasingly intersected with sculptural modernism.
The vessel is executed in thick cased (incamiciato) glass, a demanding technique in which multiple layers of molten glass are gathered one over another before blowing. Here, a vibrant coral-red inner layer is enclosed beneath a deep black exterior, creating remarkable optical depth. The polished rim intentionally exposes the brilliant inner casing, transforming the opening into a luminous ring that contrasts dramatically with the dark exterior.
After blowing, the vase underwent extensive cold-working. The entire surface has been meticulously carved into hundreds of narrow vertical facets before being satin finished, producing a tactile surface closely related to the Murano battuto tradition. Rather than the classic all-over hammered texture associated with Carlo Scarpa's early battuto work for Venini, this example employs elongated, rhythmic cuts that emphasise the vessel's generous volume and create an ever-changing play of light and shadow across its curved body.
As illumination shifts, the matte black exterior subtly reveals the glowing coral layer beneath, producing an effect that appears almost illuminated from within. The combination of sculptural mass and chromatic vibration gives the piece an unusually architectural presence.
Although unsigned, the vase displays the level of technical refinement associated with Murano's highly skilled cold-working ateliers of the late twentieth century. Its stylistic vocabulary recalls the production of several Venetian workshops specialising in monumental sculptural glass, including Mandruzzato, Tiozzo Sergio, Galliano Ferro and related Murano furnaces. In the absence of a signature or original label, however, the precise workshop remains intentionally open, allowing the object to be appreciated for the exceptional quality of its execution rather than an uncertain attribution.
The underside retains its original polished pontil, consistent with authentic Murano studio production.
Monumental Murano vessels of this scale and technical complexity were produced in relatively small numbers and have become increasingly sought after by collectors of Italian post-war and late twentieth-century design. Their appeal lies not only in virtuoso craftsmanship but also in their ability to function simultaneously as vessel, sculpture and architectural object.
Whether displayed as a solitary statement piece or incorporated into a curated collection of Italian art glass, this vase possesses the visual authority characteristic of Murano's finest sculptural production.
Dimensions
Height: 30 cm (11.81 in)
Diameter: 28 cm (11.02 in)
Origin
Murano, Italy
Late 1970s–1980s
Material
Hand-blown cased (incamiciato) art glass
Cold-worked satin finish in the battuto tradition
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks or restorations. Minor wear to the base consistent with age and authentic studio production.
General Information
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases and collectible Murano art glass.
International buyers are welcome. Import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer's responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minor traces of age and use; any significant flaws will always be clearly described and illustrated.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsRed, BlackMaterialGlassNumber of items1Height30 cmWidth28 cmDepth28 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 28 sales