Lot Essay
The XXI Venice Biennale in 1940 represents arguably the most significant moment in the remarkable journey initiated by Scarpa at Venini in 1932. Some of the most accomplished sculptural objects, many ahead of their time, were exhibited in a room solely dedicated to Scarpa’s creations. Here his poetic vision, his devotion to the material, his ceaseless research and innovation are expressed with pure aesthetic clarity. Visitors were mesmerized by many techniques that are until today a testament to a period of exceptional creativity: murrine opache, tessuti, laccati rossi e neri and incisi to name a few. From the pages of Domus, Gio Ponti urged Italians to recognize the intellectual value of these objects, to collect them, not to consider them just merely as gifts or something fashionable to buy.
The present lot is an exquisite example of that time. The tessuto is the ultimate expression of the curiosity and the modernity of Scarpa’s vessels. The technique is an original interpretation of the ancient filigree glass developed in Murano in the 16th century by which multi-colored rod glass canes are fused together. Scarpa updates this technique giving it a completely modern twist using contemporary juxtaposition of vibrant colors. The example presented here feature also a superb battuto finish which enrich the already sophisticated object.
The present lot is an exquisite example of that time. The tessuto is the ultimate expression of the curiosity and the modernity of Scarpa’s vessels. The technique is an original interpretation of the ancient filigree glass developed in Murano in the 16th century by which multi-colored rod glass canes are fused together. Scarpa updates this technique giving it a completely modern twist using contemporary juxtaposition of vibrant colors. The example presented here feature also a superb battuto finish which enrich the already sophisticated object.