Iridescent Scavo Murano Glass Vase Jug attributed to Cenedese / Toso, 1960s

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MEASUREMENTS:
Height: 14.5 cm; Diameter: 9 cm; Weight: 0.242 kg

An extraordinary and fascinating small Murano blown glass jug, a … Read more MEASUREMENTS:
Height: 14.5 cm; Diameter: 9 cm; Weight: 0.242 kg

An extraordinary and fascinating small Murano blown glass jug, a superb example of the renowned Murano "a scavo" (excavation) technique, conceived to emulate the visual and material appeal of archaeological finds from classical antiquity. The manufacturing technique is based on free-blowing, enhanced by the application of a ribbon handle and a refined decorative crimped serpentine band around the neck. The surface finish, the jug's true technical secret, was achieved by exposing the still-hot piece to mixtures of salts and acidic vapors in the furnace, recreating a mineral iridescence and an exceptionally realistic calcareous-earthy texture. Structurally, the object features an expanded globular body tapering to a slightly truncated cone-shaped neck ending in a dramatic trilobate mouth with a folded rim. The base clearly and distinctly displays the characteristic pontello mark, an unmistakable testament to the master glassmaker's manual separation from the blowing tube. This tangible proof that this is an entirely handcrafted piece, clearly distinguishing it from mass-produced or industrial pieces. The decoration and coloration are distinguished by a magnificent aquamarine blue hue, enhanced by iridescent and shimmering hues that shift from green to gold under the light. These elements, along with the rustic finish and the swirls of the applied glass, represent, in our opinion, the most beautiful and important elements to appreciate for their refined aesthetic. The production period is firmly in the second half of the twentieth century, roughly between the 1960s and 1970s, and the place of production is the island of Murano, the beating heart of Venetian glassmaking worldwide. The work bears no signature or acid mark on the surface or under the base, making it an unsigned, high-quality atelier piece. We attribute the jug to the creative hub of renowned historic Murano glassworks specializing in this complex glassmaking technique, such as the Toso and Cenedese brothers. The reasons for this attribution lie precisely in the superb execution of the vetro scavo technique, an extremely difficult process to master, in which Venetian masters successfully balanced the delicacy of blown glass with the visual hardness of carved stone. This clearly differentiates it from industrial imitations due to the fluidity of the pontello and the elegant proportions typical of twentieth-century Murano design. See less