Over the course of thirty years, the American collector Carl Bellavia devoted his attention to the glass produced on the island of Murano between 1900 and 1960 and in so doing came to understand the complex field of Italian glass. While initially focused on the work of Vittorio Zecchin for both Cappellin and Venini, Bellavia encountered and appreciated works by lesser-known designers and makers. We are pleased to revisit this collection (first featured in 2020) and celebrate the trove of pre-war glass along with stellar examples from the 1950s and beyond. With an eye for both beauty and quality, the Bellavia collection demonstrates the power of collecting with an open mind.
Tomaso Buzzi 1900–1981
Born in Sondrio in 1900, Tomaso Buzzi became interested in art, design and craftsmanship at an early age. He studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, and soon after graduation began his career designing interiors, creating theatrical stage sets and costumes, and doing graphic design for books and magazines. In 1927, he was one of the original founders of the influential Il Labirinto group along with Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa, Carla Visconti di Modrone, Emilio Lancia, and others. The aim of Il Labirinto was to “promote modern design for the home”. In 1932 he became art director at Venini, and though his tenure only lasted until 1934, his influence had a lasting impact on the company. From 1930 to 1950 he taught architecture in Milan, and also devoted himself to artistic and functional design, working with lighting, furniture, silver, ceramics and iron. In the 1950s, Buzzi’s tastes moved away from Modernism and back towards Neo-Classicism, his first aesthetic love. By the end of the 1950s he dedicated himself almost entirely to painting, and only occasionally took on private commissions. He died in Rapallo, Genoa, in 1981.
Auction Results Tomaso Buzzi
