Lot Essay
The present lot is unique and the largest example from a small series of enamelled soffiati vases Vittorio Zecchin designed between 1919 and 1921. Salomè was a recurrent theme the artist used on other works, such as tapestries and paintings, as also seen on a drawing by the artist currently in the collection of Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art, Venezia. The technique involved in executing the Salomé vase consisted of applying gold leaf over the amethyst soffiato glass body; areas of the application were later removed to create the decorative pattern. Details in enamel were subsequently applied to recreated the hair (black), the lips (red) and the peacocks’ eyes (blue). Another example of the early series by Vittorio Zecchin, the notorious Coppa delle Vestali, is today part of the permanent collection of the Fondazione il Vittoriale degli Italiani, Gradone Riviera, Brescia.