Harlequin Vase in Blown and Cased Murano Glass Paste, Italy, 1950s

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Description

Description of the object:
Extremely rare harlequin vase in coated Murano blown glass, made with a yellow glass interior and … Read more Description of the object:
Extremely rare harlequin vase in coated Murano blown glass, made with a yellow glass interior and a green glass exterior, with a cut and pincer-shaped mouth, richly decorated with hot-applied colored glass paste rods. The mark of the pier under the base is clearly visible, i.e., the iron to which the vase is attached, used to move it in and out of the oven during the various stages of its production, confirming that the vase was entirely hand-shaped. Made in Murano, Venice, around the mid-20th century.

Useful information for evaluating the item:
Our research shows that similar Murano harlequin vases, most with a transparent glass body and relief decorations in various colors of glass paste like ours, are offered at very high prices, ranging from a minimum of €100-200 for the smallest, simplest, and least elaborate ones, up to €1,000-1,200 for the larger ones with more complex workmanship. Although our vase is smaller than most of the vases offered at higher prices, we believe it is of higher artistic quality. In fact, it is made with a double layer of glass paste, one green and one yellow, to form a coated glass, rather than simple transparent glass, as is the case with most of the vases we found for sale. Furthermore, the mouth is entirely handmade.

Information about the artist and/or manufacturer:
Murano glass is artistic glass produced in Murano, an island in the Venetian lagoon. It is traditionally made with a soda-lime "metal" and is typically decorated in an elaborate manner, using various "hot" glass forming techniques, as well as gilding, enameling, or engraving. Production has been concentrated on the Venetian island of Murano since the 13th century. Today, Murano is known for its artistic glass, but it has a long history of innovation in glass production in addition to its artistic fame and was the main center of Europe for luxury glass from the early Middle Ages to the Italian Renaissance.


This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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