20th Century Roman Amphora Vase in Blue Murano Glass by Seguso Glassworks, Italy, 1950s

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Description of the item
a magnificent, two-handled excavated-style vase made of blue blown glass in the shape of a roman … Read more Description of the item
a magnificent, two-handled excavated-style vase made of blue blown glass in the shape of a roman amphora. The glass is very thick and heavy for its size, and has been acid-etched to give the appearance of an ancient vase unearthed from an excavation. The vase dates to around 1960–1970; it is unsigned but easily attributable to the seguso glassworks, a renowned murano manufacturer that frequently produced similar “scavo” glass vases as part of its artistic collection. The vase’s shape is particularly beautiful, with a flared body and a somewhat flattened form, as well as two marvelous handles reminiscent of roman amphorae. These handles were designed to facilitate transport; in fact, ropes were tied around the two side handles to create a sort of carrying handle or to secure the vase atop a wooden pole alongside other amphorae. The seguso glassworks began producing this type of hollowed-out vase around 1960–1970, the period to which this vase dates.

information about the artist and/or manufacturer
archimede seguso (murano, december 17, 1909 – murano, september 6, 1999) was an italian entrepreneur and master glassmaker. Considered “a living encyclopedia of glass” (as described by giuseppe cappa in the book *le genie verrier de l’europe*, pp. 471, 510, and 511), he was one of the most renowned venetian glassmakers, distinguishing himself in the crafting of heavy (solid) glass. He began working at a very young age, becoming a master at just 17 in the glassworks where his father was a partner, until the crisis of 1929. He then founded his own workshop, which became the family glassworks and later evolved into soffieria barovier seguso & ferro, and then, in 1933, into seguso vetri d’arte—a company that shaped the development of glass in the decades that followed. He collaborated closely with the artistic director and designer flavio poli. Archimede seguso parted ways with this family glassworks in 1944, founding his own vetreria artistica archimede seguso. Here, he was able to explore a wide range of techniques by reviving ancient glassblowing methods; he reinterpreted 18th-century filigree, inventing famous “filigrane” patterns such as “merletti” and “piume,” among others, while also experimenting with other techniques using an extremely varied color palette. He experimented with and created glassworks of great character, featuring layered colors and strong chromatic contrasts using the “sommerso” technique. He passed away in 1999, leaving behind numerous works—as well as an indelible mark of his creativity—in many contemporary art museums around the world. He exhibited his works at the venice biennales, the milan, and liège triennales, and at numerous other exhibitions. In 1982, he participated in the “a thousand years of glass” exhibition in venice at palazzo grassi and the correr museum, showcasing several sculptures. In 1989, a solo exhibition was dedicated to him at tiffany & co. In new york. In 1991, the city of venice hosted “the glassworks of archimede seguso” at the doge’s palace; he was the only living master, up to that point, to have a solo exhibition at the doge’s palace in venice. 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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