Masterworks 
21 November 2017
Masterworks 
47

Paolo Venini

a Puntini Murrine bowl

Venini
Italy, c. 1960
glass murrines 5 h × 5 dia in (13 × 13 cm)
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $7,500
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Signed with three-line acid stamp to underside: [Venini Murano Italia].
literature: Art Glass from Murano 1910-1970, Heiremans, pg. 278, pl. 231 illustrates technique I Vetri Venini, Deboni, pl. 152 illustrates similar example Murano Glass Themes and Variations (1910-1970), Heiremans, ppg. 27-29 illustrate series

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A Puntini plate and vases illustrated in a period photograph from the 1950s

This rare a Puntini (dotted) vase is another example of Paolo Venini’s deft use of murrines. Throughout the 1950s Venini presented streamlined vessels composed of a Puntini murrines as they lent themselves to rich and dynamic patterning. The combination of simple, powerful forms with dense and interesting patterns proved an appealing combination to the post-war eye, and remains so today. This model was exhibited at numerous important international exhibitions in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Paolo Venini 1895–1959

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Paolo Venini was born in Cusano, Italy on January 12, 1895 to a middle class Lombard family. As a young man he studied law in Milan. During the first war he was stationed near Venice where he became fascinated with the glass mosaics and stained glass of St. Mark’s cathedral. After the war he began a law practice but soon came under the influence of Venetian art and antiquities dealer Giacomo Cappellin who convinced the young Venini to join him as a business partner in a new Murano glass enterprise in 1921. Since then it has become almost impossible to discuss the life of Paolo Venini as separate from his company—all the available biographical material about him lacks personal detail and inevitably lists towards the celebrated history of the company. Venini’s biography is, therefore, the story of a man whose literal personality has been subsumed by his professional life and persona.

Auction Results Paolo Venini

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Paolo Venini

Rare and Important Mosaico Tessuto vase

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Paolo Venini

a Murrine vase, model 3670

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Paolo Venini

Murrine vase

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Paolo Venini

Important A Dame vase, model 3644

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Paolo Venini

a Murrine vase, model 4704

estimate: $30,000–50,000

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Paolo Venini

a Dame Murrine vase, model 3910

estimate: $30,000–50,000

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Paolo Venini

Mosaico Tessuto vase

estimate: $30,000–40,000

result: $54,000
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