Vintage Reticello Glasses by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1938, Set of 9

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An extraordinarily rare set of nine hand-blown "Reticello" drinking glasses designed by Carlo Scarpa during his earliest years at Venini, … Read more An extraordinarily rare set of nine hand-blown "Reticello" drinking glasses designed by Carlo Scarpa during his earliest years at Venini, Murano, dating to the late 1930s and early 1940s. These glasses belong to the formative period of Scarpa's collaboration with Paolo Venini, when the architect and designer began redefining Murano glass through an entirely new language of geometry, transparency and technical experimentation. Even in these early works, one already recognizes the extraordinary sensitivity that would later establish him among the most influential figures in twentieth-century Italian design. Executed using the demanding Reticello technique, each glass is composed of an intricate lattice of perfectly crossed white canes suspended within crystal-clear blown glass. The result is mesmerizing: an almost immaterial geometric texture that appears to float inside the transparent body, changing continuously as the light moves across its surface. The elegant hexagonal profile gives the pieces a remarkably contemporary architectural presence. from above, the opening forms a perfect polygon; from the side, the fine reticello lines wrap around the body in a continuous optical rhythm, accentuating the subtle twists and gentle irregularities created entirely by hand during the blowing process. What makes this service particularly fascinating is that no two glasses are exactly alike. Like fingerprints, each example reveals its own personality. Slight variations in height, profile, wall thickness and the tension of the reticello decoration testify to their entirely handcrafted nature. Rather than imperfections, these nuances are the unmistakable signature of authentic Murano craftsmanship from one of its greatest creative periods. Despite their visual complexity, the glasses are astonishingly light in the hand. Their weight almost disappears, while the refined balance and delicately rounded base make them exceptionally elegant to hold and use. The photographs beautifully capture the hypnotic quality of the decoration: the white lattice seems to vibrate through the transparent crystal, creating changing optical effects from every angle. Seen together, the nine glasses become a sculptural composition, where repetition gives way to individuality and each vessel contributes its own subtle variation to the ensemble. Finding even a single early Scarpa Reticello glass is increasingly uncommon. Discovering a complete group of nine preserved together, all from the first production period and in such exceptional condition, is extraordinarily rare. All nine glasses are preserved in impeccable original condition, with no chips, cracks or restorations. The reticello decoration remains crisp and beautifully preserved throughout the entire set. An exceptional museum-quality ensemble that represents Carlo Scarpa's earliest and most poetic exploration of Murano glass—a rare opportunity for collectors of Venini, Murano glass and twentieth-century Italian design. 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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