Italian Centerpieces

Very elegant Seau a Glace in worked crystal with brass finish Italian production late 1960s.

Colourful glazed ceramic centerpiece bowl by Vi.Bi. Torino made in the early 1960. This ceramic piece features beautiful pastel Italian colors, and Vi.B...

Archimede Seguso handmade Murano transparent & gold dust flecks inlay centerpiece, bowl, platter from Italy and made in the 1980. Beautiful large circular Scope serves very well as ...

Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...

A wonderful large Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano signed seguso gold swirl flecked ribbed glass centerpiece pedestal bowl.

Spectacular, very large MCM Italian silver giant clam shell centerpiece. Fabulous for serving oysters, lobster, calamari and other Frutti di Mare. Hand hammered, finely hand chased, superb quality on par with Buccellati. Marvelous sculptural octopus and triton shell...

Large centerpiece / plate produced in the 70s by the Italian glassmaker Salviati. The circular centerpiece was made of transparent Murano glass wi...

A striking round vase, precious Works of Art in blown solid black Murano glass worked like a modern painting with a sophisticated extensive organic firey decor of overlaid elongated murrine in brown, green, yellow, orange, red colors interspersed with avventurina: metallic inclusions of real copper in the glass that make these pieces glow. Signed Formia Murano. One of three in similar decor, the round vase has been chosen to be displayed at the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse in the interior designed by Daria Demin of Circa 22 Design Studio. Perfect for dry floral...

San Giminiano Italian ceramic plate, handprinted and realized in the 1970s. The plate pattern and decoration is typical of the centre of Ital...

Murano. With silver applications. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Technical Avventurina : Avventurina is a Murano glass-making technique developed on Murano island in the 17th century. I was first mentioned in a document dating from 1614 as "a kind of stone with gilt stars inside", at which point it already mesmerized people with the unusual and attractive look. The technique owes its name to the fact that its discovery happened by chance thanks to a lucky coincidence, when a glass artisan is said to have accidentally dropped some metal shavings into the glass mixture. Italians say it happened "all'avventura", which in Italian means "by chance". The first documented recipe for the technique dates from 1644, when Murano master glassmaker Giovanni Darduin described how Avventurina glass should be created. The recipe involves adding various metal oxides such as copper and iron to the hot glass mixture, which will cause tiny particles of the metals to crystallize as the glass mixture cools off. Complicating the process, for such crystallization to occur the furnace had to get fully extinguished, and the metal particles would slowly separate from the glass base over a few days during the natural cooling of the glass. This was a very difficult process from a logistical perspective, since every time a glass furnace got extinguished it caused work to be paused, and re-igniting it was quite a big process, as it took time to fully heat it to the desired temperature. As industrial revolution set foot on Murano in the nineteenth century, the process got a remake. Large volumes of fine Avventurina paste were made and then skillfully stretched into glass canes, which were then re-melted for jewelry-making under a small flame, or for glass blowing. This Avventurina paste received worldwide acclaim and re-ignited the fame of Murano Glass workshops due to its use in Salviati mosaics...

A large Murano sommerso glass centre piece Italy C.1960 Mid-20th century, in ruby, green and clear glass, Attributed to Archimede Seguso. A superb example. In very good condit...

A rare example of Art Deco stainless steel tray centre table with spherical support legs in bakelite. Stainless steel began to spread in the 1930s and 1940...

An incredible "sommerso" amber-red Murano glass bowl. This astonishing piece is attributed to Seguso and was made in Italy during the 1970s. A marvellous bowl it's in perfect vin...

Beautiful and unusual, large vintage Murano hand blown black and blue spatter pigments Italian art glass flower vase. The piece is documented to Seguso Arte Vetro glass workshop. The...

Murano Technical Avventurina : We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale.  Fratelli Toso, Venice One of the oldest glass factories established in Murano, Fratelli Toso was founded in 1854 by six brothers who loved the art of glassmaking. With over 150 years of experience in the field, the Toso family improved their techniques and nowadays are one of the top award-winning manufacturers of Murano glass. Technical Avventurina : Avventurina is a Murano glass-making technique developed on Murano island in the 17th century. I was first mentioned in a document dating from 1614 as "a kind of stone with gilt stars inside", at which point it already mesmerized people with the unusual and attractive look. The technique owes its name to the fact that its discovery happened by chance thanks to a lucky coincidence, when a glass artisan is said to have accidentally dropped some metal shavings into the glass mixture. Italians say it happened "all'avventura", which in Italian means "by chance". The first documented recipe for the technique dates from 1644, when Murano master glassmaker Giovanni Darduin described how Avventurina glass should be created. The recipe involves adding various metal oxides such as copper and iron to the hot glass mixture, which will cause tiny particles of the metals to crystallize as the glass mixture cools off. Complicating the process, for such crystallization to occur the furnace had to get fully extinguished, and the metal particles would slowly separate from the glass base over a few days during the natural cooling of the glass. This was a very difficult process from a logistical perspective, since every time a glass furnace got extinguished it caused work to be paused, and re-igniting it was quite a big process, as it took time to fully heat it to the desired temperature. As industrial revolution set foot on Murano in the nineteenth century, the process got a remake. Large volumes of fine Avventurina paste were made and then skillfully stretched into glass canes, which were then re-melted for jewelry-making under a small flame, or for glass blowing. This Avventurina paste received worldwide acclaim and re-ignited the fame of Murano Glass workshops due to its use in Salviati mosaics...

A large murano glass bowl manufactured in Venice in the manner of Fulvio Bianconi, it's in perfect conditions. This Centerpiece is a striking and luxurious decorative piece that show...

Amazing round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with and border brass in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy in the 1970s.

Amazing large serving tray or centerpiece in lucite ice effect in the style of Willy Rizzo. Made in Italy in the 1970s.

Large Sommerso Alfredo Barbini for Cenedese Murano Italian glass double fish centerpiece platter. Bullicante glass formed fish and centrepiece bowl. No signs of chips or breaks. ...

Huge Murano sommerso glass vase by Luigi Onesto, circa 1950s. Unusual chunky and heavy glass vase in cloudy silver grey colour. With a submerged core of white lava with thin red stripes running through. The interior is of white (milk) glass. Intricate colouring and details. The glass has an almost holographic effect when viewed under daylight. Large sized, weighing in at approximately 3.7kgs. Polished flat base and signed 'Onesto Murano...

Murano 'Opalino' glass serving or dipping bowl designed by Antonio Da Ros (1936-2012) for Cenedese, circa 1970-1990. Wonderful translucent color of vibrant pink. Simplistic yet elega...

Murano with gold Attributed to Seguso - Barovier We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. The history of "Seguso Vetri D' Arte" is directly linked to the "Vetreria Artistica­ Barovier" company. When the Barovier workshop was forced to reduce production in 1929, due to a financial crisis in America, the original group of ten partners had to separate and Antonio Seguso in 1931, assisted by his sons Ernesto and Archimede opened a small workshop of his own. They were joined by Luigi Olimpio Ferro and Napoleone Barovier the following year. Together the craftsmen establish the "Artistica Soffieria e Vetreria Barovier Seguso & Ferro" company as equal partners. In 1934 Flavio Poli joins the firm as artistic director and within only a brief period of time a distinct style of designs emerged. The close collaboration between Flavio Poli, Archimede Seguso and Alfredo Barbini played an important part in the success of the company. New glass techniques are developed which include never before seen color applications. The companies innovative designs constantly received awards and during the 1935 World Fair in Brussels and the 1936 Milan Triennale they did attract the interest of a new group of clientele. One of them is the French wholesale company "Veronese" from Paris which would play a defining role in the history of the company. The demand for an increase in production requires additional investments and the partners felt that there is a need to multiply their investment tenfold. Luigi Olimpio Ferro subsequently decided to withdraw from the company and his shares are acquired by Flavio Poli, which makes him a full partner. As a result, the company name is changed to Seguso Vetri D’ Arte and it is officially recognized in 1937. A period of great success and prosperity ensues, lasting until the outbreak of World War II. The post ­war period is a time of great change in Europe and the rebuilding of the economical structure in Italy requires major investments which result in the introduction of new import duties and taxes. To safeguard the copyright of the Seguso Vetri D'Arte designs an application for a second entry into the commercial registers of Venice is made by the partners in 1945. Strict export regulations curb international business relations for many years after the war and the company decides to focus on the domestic market instead. In 1946 a large retail location is opened at the Piazza Diaz in Milan where in addition to the art glass, German porcelain and Italian pottery is offered. In 1950 Flavio Poli develops a new sommerso glass technique, which consists of an overlaying of transparent layers of glass. The overlapping creates new shades of color which prior to the introduction of this technique had not been seen. Flavio Poli's most iconic design is the "Valve", which resembles an upright, slightly opened clam shell. The design was introduced in 1951. Mario Pinzoni joins the company in 1953 as a personal assistant to Flavio Poli and his responsibilities as a draftsman included the compilation of archival and the existing production drawing s...

Italian ceramic hand painted plate by Etruria Sesto Fiorentino 1970s. Beautiful Decorative centre plate with blue black and red colours.  

Amazing midcentury blue glazed terracotta ceramic blue vase. This fantastic item was designed by Flavia Montelupo and Aldo Londi for Bitossi in Italy, Rimini, during the late 1950s o...

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear smoky gray color with green paint stroke Italian art glass sculpture on base. Documented to designer Luciano Gaspari for the Salviati compan...

Grandi Cristalli is an Italian company that specializes in the production of high-quality glassware, including wine decanters. A wine decanter is a vessel used to transfer wine from the bottle into the decanter, allowing it to breathe and release its full aroma and flavor before serving. Grandi Cristalli offers a range of wine decanters made from high-quality glass, handcrafted by skilled artisans in Italy. Their decanters feature elegant designs and are available in different sizes and shapes, depending on the type of wine...

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Design cylindrical sculpture vase, attributed to Romeo Rega, tall and slender, the organic body in transparent brown acrylic is decorated with a brass Egyptian...

Midcentury round vide-poche dish in travertine by Fratelli Mannelli. Made in Italy in the 1970s. The original label is still attached on the back, as shown in the pictures.

Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...

Very beautiful Centerpiece designed by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, model 2039, designed in '60s. The Bowl has a base in silvered metal and then it is entirely in colored glass (ora...

Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large & heavy vintage midcentury Italian Murano glass geode bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique ...

A large Murano glass bowl. Clear with a black ribbon accent. Thick one inch glass.

Beautiful, and very large vintage Murano hand blown light blue, black and copper aventurine flecks filigrana ribbons Italian art glass flower vase. Documented to designer Dino Marten...

Article: Murano glass bowl element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This original glass element was produced in the 1970s in Murano, Italy. An elegant ligh...

Silver plated metal candleholder “Simon” by Borek Sipek for Driade in the eighties. You can also use the center like a flower vase.

A white glazed ceramic basket of fruit, probably Italian. The pineapple stem has been repaired with a small loss. The leaf of another fruit has two two areas of mismatched filling. A...

Murano with bubbles, iridescent We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing ...

Beautiful, rare, and large vintage Murano hand blown orange "A Mace" Italian art glass flower vase with iridescent surface. Documented to designer Dino Martens for the Aureliano Toso...

Murano. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...

Murano Attributed to Carlo Scarpa We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushi...

Large and tall apple or moss green Cenedese vintage Italian midcentury Murano glass vase, made in Italy, circa 1970-1990. Particularly striking is it's Minimalist form and large size...

Italian Majolica bowl with elephants - A wonderful pair of elephants with their trunks up... double the good luck! Vibrant colors and details mak...

Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair. Andres Kálnay, of Hungarian origin, made around 120 architectural masterpieces, among which the former Munich brewery stands out, he even made the furniture’s design. The German architect, Walter Gropius, director of the Bauhaus, lived in Argentina, where he wrote articles for “Sur” magazine and founded in Buenos Aires, an architectural firm with Franz Möller, who was also an architect, where he built two houses. At the same time several famous designers decided to immigrate to Argentina, among them we can find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also worked for the Rockefeller family. Special pieces were made, which were sold exclusively in the country, such as the well-known German company “WMF”, who sold their products by catalogue, which were chosen by the ladies of high society in the list of wedding gifts, as well as the pieces designed by Christofle. The Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti, made special pieces for Argentinean mansions. In 1904 the first Jansen branch outside Paris was established in Buenos Aires, as the Argentinean clientele demanded a large amount of furniture, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century. In 1970, the brand Rigolleau Argentina made pieces authorised by Lalique. The brands Maple and Thompson also set up shop in the country. The French plastic artist, Marcel Duchamp moved to Argentina in 1918-1919. Glass signed Gallé, Charder, Leverre, Schneider, Muller and other French firms. They were bought in flower shops and were given to ladies with beautiful floral arrangements. Some furniture manufacturers travelled to international fairs and bough the patterns to produce the furniture in Argentina, such as the furniture firm Englander and Bonta, who bought the patterns ins Italy. It is worth mentioning that in Argentina we have the largest community of Italians outside...

Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair. Andres Kálnay, of Hungarian origin, made around 120 architectural masterpieces, among which the former Munich brewery stands out, he even made the furniture’s design. The German architect, Walter Gropius, director of the Bauhaus, lived in Argentina, where he wrote articles for “Sur” magazine and founded in Buenos Aires, an architectural firm with Franz Möller, who was also an architect, where he built two houses. At the same time several famous designers decided to immigrate to Argentina, among them we can find the well-known French designer, Jean-Michel Frank, who arrived in the country in 1940 and also worked for the Rockefeller family. Special pieces were made, which were sold exclusively in the country, such as the well-known German company “WMF”, who sold their products by catalogue, which were chosen by the ladies of High Society in the list of wedding gifts, as well as the pieces designed by Christofle. The Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti, made special pieces for Argentinean mansions. In 1904 the first Jansen branch outside Paris was established in Buenos Aires, as the Argentinean clientele demanded a large amount of furniture, from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century. In 1970, the brand Rigolleau Argentina made pieces authorised by Lalique. The brands Maple and Thompson also set up shop in the country. The French plastic artist, Marcel Duchamp moved to Argentina in 1918-1919. Glass signed Gallé, Charder, Leverre, Schneider, Muller and other French firms. They were bought in flower shops and were given to ladies with beautiful floral arrangements. Some furniture manufacturers travelled to international fairs and bough the patterns to produce the furniture in Argentina, such as the furniture firm Englander and Bonta, who bought the patterns ins Italy. It is worth mentioning that in Argentina we have the largest Community of Italians outside...

Beautiful 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern serving cocktail bar tray with polished brass handles . Made of rattan and bamboo, this charming piece is in the typical style where the or...

Gorgeous vintage Murano glass shell made in the 1960s. The decorative element is entirely made of murano glass, with the shape of a shell open on one of the two sides. The structure is made in a spiral, exactly like that of a shell. One end is closed pointed, just like a shell, the other is open and shows two spikes: one smaller and shorter, the other longer and thinner. The vintage Murano glass seashell...

Centerpiece Seguso.

Midcentury large round vide-poche dish in travertine by Fratelli Mannelli. Made in Italy in the 1970s. The original label is still attached on the back, as shown in the pictures.

Large Italian parcel-gilt, silver, and hardstone centrepiece from Milan, c.1980 Italian, Late 20th Century Weight: 14.064 kg Height 40cm, width 69cm, depth 52cm Bearing the mark of Argenteria Fiorentini & Spertini, of Milan, c.1980, this magnificent centrepiece is a large, extensive, parcel-gilt, silver, and precious stone sculpture demonstrating the quality of Italian and particularly Milanese decorative metalwork from the late twentieth century.   It is mounted on a oval-shaped base which is cast with rocaille, and is raised on eight wide-ribbon scrolled feet. This is turn is centred by a large, bright, immaculately veneered malachite central oval, and it is mounted variously around the side with a series of carved hardstone fruits. The central dish, with further everted ribbon scrolls, is supported by a series of four gilt pegasus sculptures...

Mid-Century Modern Sommerso Hanblown Murano Centerpiece Bowl in Green and Clear Glass. Italy, 1960s. A highly decorative hand blown centerpiece or vase in clear glass with green acc...

Before describing the object under consideration, we must make an important clarification; the artifact, one of many that we will publish over time, is part of the museum collection ...

Murano Technical Avventurina : We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale.   Fratelli Toso, Venice One of the oldest glass factories established in Murano, Fratelli Toso was founded in 1854 by six brothers who loved the art of glassmaking. With over 150 years of experience in the field, the Toso family improved their techniques and nowadays are one of the top award-winning manufacturers of Murano glass. Technical Avventurina : Avventurina is a Murano glass-making technique developed on Murano island in the 17th century. I was first mentioned in a document dating from 1614 as "a kind of stone with gilt stars inside", at which point it already mesmerized people with the unusual and attractive look. The technique owes its name to the fact that its discovery happened by chance thanks to a lucky coincidence, when a glass artisan is said to have accidentally dropped some metal shavings into the glass mixture. Italians say it happened "all'avventura", which in Italian means "by chance". The first documented recipe for the technique dates from 1644, when Murano master glassmaker Giovanni Darduin described how Avventurina glass should be created. The recipe involves adding various metal oxides such as copper and iron to the hot glass mixture, which will cause tiny particles of the metals to crystallize as the glass mixture cools off. Complicating the process, for such crystallization to occur the furnace had to get fully extinguished, and the metal particles would slowly separate from the glass base over a few days during the natural cooling of the glass. This was a very difficult process from a logistical perspective, since every time a glass furnace got extinguished it caused work to be paused, and re-igniting it was quite a big process, as it took time to fully heat it to the desired temperature. As industrial revolution set foot on Murano in the nineteenth century, the process got a remake. Large volumes of fine Avventurina paste were made and then skillfully stretched into glass canes, which were then re-melted for jewelry-making under a small flame, or for glass blowing. This Avventurina paste received worldwide acclaim and re-ignited the fame of Murano Glass workshops due to its use in Salviati mosaics...

Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...

Italian Murano glass 'Opalino' serving or dipping bowl by Antonio da Ros for Cenedese, Italy, circa 1970-1990. Wonderful translucent color of smoked grey. Simplistic yet elegant form - almost futuristic. Very fun to dine with this rare piece of Murano glassware...

Elegant and sophisticated blown glass bowl by Yalos Casa of Murano, Italy. Brightly colored with organic contoured edges. Hand painted colorful designs inside bowl. No chips or fadin...

Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown pink and green Zanfirico ribbons Italian art glass sculptural handkerchief / fazzoletto flower vase. Documented to the Fratelli Toso c...

This outstanding 1960s Aldo Londi for Bitossi ceramic decorative centerpiece or vide poche was imported and distributed in the United States by Raymor of New York. The bowl features ...

Amazing mid-century plexiglass with tortoiseshell effect rounded centrepiece. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy during the 1970s in the style of Christian Dior. This item i...