Champagne Set in Reticello and Gold Leaf by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, 1930s, Set of 5

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An exceptionally rare champagne service designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini during his earliest and most experimental years on Murano, … Read more An exceptionally rare champagne service designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini during his earliest and most experimental years on Murano, dating to the late 1930s and early 1940s. The set comprises one monumental pitcher and four matching champagne flutes, each entirely hand-blown in Murano glass and executed using a refined combination of reticello decoration and delicate gold leaf inclusions. Complete services from this formative period are extraordinarily difficult to find, making this ensemble a particularly important discovery for collectors of early Venini and twentieth-century Italian glass. The set perfectly expresses Scarpa’s ability to unite architectural discipline with the spontaneity of handmade glass. The transparent bodies are animated by fine white glass canes, carefully arranged to create a subtle reticello pattern that shifts according to the angle of view. In some areas, the decoration appears as elegant parallel lines; elsewhere, the crossing canes form a delicate diamond lattice suspended within the crystal. The pitcher is the sculptural centrepiece of the composition. Its generous ovoid body rises toward an elongated neck and a gracefully extended pouring lip, while the large curved handle creates a fluid counterpoint to the controlled geometry of the decoration. The handle is applied by hand and returns to the body in a small curled terminal, adding a distinctly artisanal gesture to the otherwise balanced and highly refined silhouette. The four champagne flutes repeat the same visual language on a more slender scale. Their elongated bowls widen gently toward the rim and are supported by elaborate hand-worked stems composed of two sculptural elements. These twisted and ribbed glass sections are enriched with suspended gold leaf, giving the stems a warm, luminous presence without disturbing the clarity and lightness of the overall design. The broad circular feet are also delicately infused with gold leaf, visible as irregular clouds, fine traces and scattered particles within the glass. These variations are inherent to the handmade process and make every glass subtly different from the next. No two stems, bases or decorative patterns are entirely identical. Viewed together, the service creates a remarkable dialogue between transparency and ornament. The cool clarity of the crystal and white reticello is balanced by the restrained warmth of the gold leaf, which catches the light only intermittently. The result is luxurious without appearing excessive, perfectly reflecting Scarpa’s sophisticated approach to material, proportion and surface. Despite their complex workmanship, the pieces remain exceptionally light and elegant in the hand. The delicate construction, finely drawn canes and individually modelled stems reveal the extraordinary technical skill required to produce such a service. The set is preserved in excellent original vintage condition. All four flutes are free from cracks and restorations, with only very minor traces of age and use consistent with pieces approaching a century old. For the sake of complete accuracy, we note the presence of one minute internal chip within the body of the pitcher. It is virtually imperceptible during normal viewing and appears to have formed around a small air inclusion trapped within the glass, a phenomenon that may occasionally develop over time in antique hand-blown Murano glass. It does not compromise the structural integrity, functionality or overall presentation of the pitcher. The small bubbles, irregularities, slight differences in profile and variations in the distribution of the gold leaf are characteristic of authentic hand-blown production and should be regarded as evidence of the making process rather than defects. An extraordinarily rare and elegant early Venini service, combining technical virtuosity, historical importance and exceptional decorative presence. A museum-worthy ensemble and a remarkable opportunity to acquire a complete Carlo Scarpa champagne set from one of the most significant periods in Murano glassmaking. Dimensions: Pitcher: 34 cm high × 15 cm diameter Each champagne flute: 21.5 cm high × 8 cm top diameter × 6 cm base diameter 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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