Mid-20th Century Modern Frosted Murano Glass Lamp/Vase by Italian Artist Alfredo Barbini

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Mid-20th century Modern frosted murano glass lamp/vase by Italian artist Alfredo Barbini

By: Alfredo Barbini
Material: glass, Murano glass, art … Read more Mid-20th century Modern frosted murano glass lamp/vase by Italian artist Alfredo Barbini

By: Alfredo Barbini
Material: glass, Murano glass, art glass
Technique: glazed, unglazed, cast, frosted
Dimensions: 13 in x 15 in
Date: mid-20th century, 1960-1969
Style: Mid-Century Modern, Space Age, Post-Modern
Place of origin: Italy

A luminary of 20th century Murano glassmaking, Alfredo Barbini was born in 1912 into a prominent glass artisan family on the island of Murano in Venice. Following in the footsteps of his forebears, Barbini became a master glassblower and helped shape the mid-century modern aesthetic.

This sleek lamp exemplifies his mastery of the organic forms and unadorned elegance emblematic of the era. Its clean cylindrical shape flares gracefully outward approaching the rim, creating a sense of lightness and movement. Barbini employed subtle textural contrasts, frosting the cooled opaque glass surface of the upper half while allowing the lower portion to remain glossy and translucent. Devoid of ornamentation, the lamp's smooth surface and lack of handles reflect the paired-down, optimistic spirit of mid-century style.

Signed "Barbini Murano," the lamp stands as a testament to his influential contributions to Murano's postwar glassmaking revival and mastery of mid-century design principles. See less