Masterworks 
25 May 2017
Masterworks 
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Carlo Scarpa

Rare A Fiori Murrine vase, model 5943

MVM Cappellin
Italy, c. 1928
fused glass murrines with spiraling cane sections 13¼ h × 7¼ dia in (34 × 18 cm)
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $32,500
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Signed with three-line acid stamp to underside: [MVM Cappellin Murano].
provenance: Collection of Dimitri Levas
literature: MVM Cappellin, New York promotional catalog, 1930, illustrates model Carlo Scarpa: I Vetri di un Architetto, Barovier, pg. 251 illustrates technique

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An Extraordinary Discovery

Carlo Scarpa for MVM Cappellin

We discovered this extraordinary MVM Cappellin vase in 2014 while researching and cataloging the collection of Dimitri Levas. At the time, nothing like it — a large scale MVM Cappellin vase composed entirely of murrines and large, spiraling cane sections—had ever appeared on the market. An MVM Cappellin Murano acid stamp was found upon close examination, but there appeared to be no reference to this model and as a result this mysterious work was not included in the Levas auction which went on to become the most successful auction of Murano glass in history.

Left: A period drawing of this model from the Archive Marino Barovier Right: A similar example illustrated in a period advertisement from 1930 for the MVM Cappellin shop in New York

Not long ago, Italian glass collector Howard Lockwood discovered a period advertisement for the MVM Cappellin shop in New York from 1930. A large vase featured prominently in the ad, and to much surprise, it was the present model.


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