CARLO SCARPA (1906-1978)

AN IMPORTANT 'SOMMERSO' VASE, CIRCA 1934-1936

Details

CARLO SCARPA (1906-1978)
AN IMPORTANT 'SOMMERSO' VASE, CIRCA 1934-1936
produced by Venini, model 3527, hand-blown glass with gold foil inclusions
5 1/2 in. (14 cm.) high, 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm.) diameter
acid stamp venini murano

Literature

F. Deboni, Murano ‘900, Milan, 1996, p. 276, n. 192 for this model illustrated;
M. Barovier, Carlo Scarpa: Glass of an Architect, exhibition catalogue, Palazzo Martinengo, Milan, 1998, pp. 106, 205, n. 23 for another vase of this model;
F. Deboni, Venini Glass Catalogue 1921-2007, vol. 2, Turin, 2007, p. 69 for this model illustrated;
M. Barovier, Carlo Scarpa: Venini 1932-1947, exhibition catalogue, Le Stanze del Vetro, Milan, 2012, pp. 127, 132 for this model illustrated;
Venini, blue catalogue, pl. 35, n. 3527.

Lot Essay

The sommerso technique was developed by Carlo Scarpa and it was first introduced at the XX Venice Biennale in 1934. Scarpa’s sense of plasticity is exemplified particularly well in the vessel presented here. The richness of texture and colour is obtained by overlaying coloured and clear glass, whilst the ribbing and the use of gold foil inclusions suggest a sense of movement.

Another example of this model can be found in the Steinberg Foundation Collection, Vaduz.

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