Masterworks 
21 November 2017
Masterworks 
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Flavio Poli

Grigio Oro vase, model Z 1461

Barovier Seguso Ferro
Italy, 1936
incamiciato glass with cristallo and gold leaf applications 16 h × 8 dia in (41 × 20 cm)
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $62,400
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provenance: Private Collection, New York
literature: Venetian Art Glass: An American Collection 1840-1970, Barovier, pg. 260 illustrates this example Art Glass from Murano: 1910-1970, Heiremans, pg. 150 illustrates similar example

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Flavio Poli at Barovier Seguso Ferro

A Triumph of Novecento Style

The vase presented here was made by the Barovier Seguso Ferro firm in the mid-1930s and represents a very sophisticated collaboration between art director and designer Flavio Poli and the young master blower Alfredo Barbini. First presented at the Triennale di Milano in 1936, the vase was immediately recognized as a triumph of Italian Novecento style. Executed in Grigio Oro glass—a layer of black sandwiched between two layers of opalescent glass and then finished with a dusting of gold leaf - the gray, metallic appearance of the vase enhances its feeling of sculptural solidity. The thick wavy applications on the body contrast with the horizontal applications at the neck to create a highly dynamic visual tension. As one of only three examples known, this extremely rare vase illustrates a particular moment in history when modernist ideas of sculptural plasticity became manifest in high-concept Murano glass objects. One could make the argument that this is the most important vase made at Seguso during the pre-war years as it gave the young company its own stylistic identity.
 

Flavio Poli 1900–1984

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Born in Chioggia, Italy, Flavio Poli studied at the Istituto d'Arte di Venezia as a ceramicist. In 1929 he began working as a glass artist at the Industrie Vetraie Artistiche Murano or IVAM glass factory where he designed mostly sculptural pieces. In 1934 he joined the firm Barovier Seguso Ferro and became artistic director and a partner in the company after just three years. In the 1950s he began experimenting with Sommerso glass, a technique achieved by overlapping different layers of glass in a variety of colors and thicknesses. The resulting pieces received international recognition as superior examples of 20th century Murano art glass and Poli was awarded the Compasso d'Oro prize in 1954. At the height of his career, Poli won five Grand Prix awards at various Milan Triennales and his designs were exhibited in numerous editions of the Venice Biennale. Poli left Seguso in 1963 to form a division of the Società Veneziana di Conterie e Cristallerie. He died in Venice in 1984 and his works can be found in numerous public and private collections around the world including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Murano Glass Museum, Venice and the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.

Auction Results Flavio Poli

Flavio Poli

rare Siderale vase

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $57,500

Flavio Poli

floor lamp from the 1958 Venice Biennale

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $25,000

Flavio Poli

Valva vase, model 9814

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $25,000
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