Mid-Century Handblown Murano Zanfirico and Reticello Glass Slipper, Unmarked

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From the estate of Pacific Northwest Antique Dealers and Collectors for over 60 years:

This gorgeous slipper is a wonderful … Read more From the estate of Pacific Northwest Antique Dealers and Collectors for over 60 years:

This gorgeous slipper is a wonderful example of the complex glassblowing techniques used in 1950's Murano, Italy: some of the most difficult glassblowing techniques went into its creation with lovely, sparkling green, aqua and royal blue zanfirico* twists combined with reticello* white lattice-work and gold flecks. Because each piece is made by hand, no two are alike. Often small Murano pieces were marked with a paper sticker, but these stickers were usually removed after purchase.

*Zanfirico and *Reticello are two types of high-quality glass filigree work. They are difficult to create and require a particular set of glassblowing skills:

Zanfirico consists of lines of opaque glass turned together while pulling the glass rods creating a spiral inside, then wrapped in a clear cover. Zanfirico (also known as filigrana a retortoli) involves joining the characteristic transparent canes while hot with interwoven threads incorporated into them to obtain a unique glass pattern, which is then worked and blown into the desired shape.

Reticello (Italian for “glass with a small network”) is named for the characteristic mesh texture that can be observed inside. To obtain the a reticello filigree, two cylinders with opposite spirals are blown and opened, and then inserted one inside the other, welding the walls together. This is how the characteristic diamond design is achieved, with a tiny bubble of air trapped at the center of the "lattice."

During the 1950s, Paolo Venini and his glassmasters perfected different variations of zanfirico and reticello glass works, all showing an elegant and essential design. See less