1 of 1, Massimiliano Schiavon Highly Sculpted & Layered Murano Art Glass C. 2008

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2008 Schiavon - 1/1.

This Murano glass vase by Massimiliano Schiavon is a finely executed example of … Read more Signed to bottom:

2008 Schiavon - 1/1.

This Murano glass vase by Massimiliano Schiavon is a finely executed example of contemporary Venetian glassmaking, distinguished by its sculptural construction, controlled detailing, and expressive yet disciplined form. Schiavon, a third-generation Murano glass artist, continues the legacy of his family’s furnace-based practice while expanding its visual language toward a more modern, design-oriented aesthetic. His work is known for its technical precision at the blowpipe and his ability to translate traditional hot-shop processes into bold, architectural forms.

The vase is hand-blown and shaped in the furnace using layered applications of molten glass, carefully gathered and worked while incandescent. Its form is built through successive stages of inflation and manipulation, where the glass is repeatedly reheated and reintroduced to the furnace to maintain fluidity. This process allows Schiavon to achieve a controlled asymmetry and subtle internal movement within the body of the piece, giving the surface a sense of depth rather than a static exterior skin.

Structurally, the vase presents a broad, grounded silhouette that expands from a stable base into a fuller, rounded body before resolving at a more contained upper rim. The profile is not mechanically uniform; instead, it carries slight variations that reflect the hand of the maker and the responsiveness of the material during shaping. These nuances are characteristic of Murano glasswork, where controlled irregularity is often a sign of skilled execution rather than imperfection.

The surface detailing is achieved through layered coloration and careful manipulation of the glass while still molten. Subtle shifts in tone and density are embedded within the body of the vase, creating a sense of internal luminosity when it interacts with light. Rather than relying on applied ornament, the decoration is integral to the glass itself, formed through the gathering and marvering process and refined at the furnace. This results in a continuous visual field where color, transparency, and opacity merge seamlessly.

Schiavon’s approach reflects a balance between traditional Murano techniques and a contemporary design sensibility. While grounded in centuries-old Venetian glassmaking methods, his work emphasizes clarity of form and sculptural presence. The vase functions equally as a utilitarian vessel and as an autonomous object, intended to be viewed as a piece of modern sculpture.

The overall effect is one of controlled dynamism: a solid yet visually fluid object that responds to its environment through light, reflection, and perspective. It stands as a representative example of Massimiliano Schiavon’s practice, where technical mastery of hot glass is paired with a refined understanding of proportion, surface, and spatial presence.

Measurements: 14 in. W × 10.5 in. H. See less