Wright Auction

What would motivate Fulvio Bianconi, Venini’s most prominent post-war designer, to scratch his name onto the bottom of beautiful, masterfully executed vases which were clearly designed by Carlo Scarpa?From Bianconi's personal collection, this work bears his signature.

In the end, the answer is quite simple: Bianconi signed pieces of glass that he owned in order to signify that they were part of his collection —his ‘ex-libris’. In the world of bibliophiles this is probably quite mundane, but in the world of Murano glass it is unique.

In fact, a number of these vases are known to exist. Additionally, most of these were acquired directly from Bianconi’s personal collection during the 1980s. The two Battuto vases presented here are indeed signed by Bianconi and fall into this ‘ex-libris’ category.

The landmark Battuto series signaled a new direction for Scarpa and Venini.

First exhibited at the Biennale of 1940 as part of a larger group of innovative objects, Battuto signaled a new and prescient direction for Carlo Scarpa and Venini. The strong, simple forms, richly carved surfaces and vibrant monochromatic palate would all become well known aspects of Venini’s production of the 1950s and 60s. 

The two vases presented here are variants of model 3974 in the Venini blue catalog.  Executed in sapphire blue  and emerald green, they demonstrate the gem-tone luminosity possible in Scarpa’s Battuto series. Exquisitely carved, and masterfully formed, they are both excellent examples from this landmark series.