Napoleone Martinuzzi , Two Cactus In Murano Iridescent Fume Vamsa Attribution
Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy
£4,800 per item
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Item details
Height
24.5 cm
Width
24.0 cm
Depth
24.0 cm
Diameter
24.0 cm
Wear conditions
Good
This item has been confirmed as being signed by artist by the seller. Please reach out to the seller for more information.
Included
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
Tare pair of two glass cactus in an iridescent Fume finish. This design is a classic design by Napoleone Martinuzzi.
Update: One leaf on the large cactus snapped and was glued in place. New price reflects this.
Napoleone Martinuzzi's career included a six-year at Venini, followed by a nine-year partnership with Zecchin. Eventually, the company was acquired by Seguso, and various Maestros were involved in crafting Martinuzzi's pieces, including Venini, Seguso, and Barbini at VAMSA. In his later years, Martinuzzi also collaborated with Pauly. He is also a well known XX century sculptor.
Martinuzzi introduced this serie of succulent plants designs in the 1930s, which were produced under various labels, including Venini, Zecchin, Seguso, Pauly, and VAMSA Furnace. One of the skilled masters who replicated his creations was the young Alfredo Barbini.
This particular piece is attributed to VAMSA production, the company that also hosted Alfredo Barbini. Cambi has a similar piece, while Venini's production typically features pulegoso bubbled glass.
Regarding the fume color, it is a very old technique that originated when furnaces operated with wood fires. The partial combustion of wood generated smoke inside the crucible, and the carbon residue in the molten glass resulted in a light amber hue, similar to what you can observe in XVII chandeliers. Barovier's "cristallo" formula resolved this coloration issue, making fume a distinct finish. Achieving this color is akin to the Japanese Raku technique, involving the reduction of oxygen input, causing the fire to produce reducing smoke (or "fumo" in Italian). This technique was further refined by working with other colors, and metal oxides in a reducing atmosphere often produced an iridescent coating. Today, replicating this technique purely through the burning of natural gas is challenging, making it a characteristic feature of antique pieces.
This object lacks labels, signatures, and information about its origin and decade of production. It is attributed based on its style and exceptional craftsmanship, and its beauty is the primary criterion for evaluation.
Listed measurement refer to the larger one on the left.
Here both measurements
Left Dia 24 cm H 25,5 cm
Right Dia 23 cm H 23 cm
References:
Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Venini & C. (1925-1931)
Zecchin & Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici (1932-1936)
Ing. F. Zecchin - Vetri Artistici e Mosaici (1936-1939)
References:
Exhibitions:
Venice: Island of San Giorgio Maggiore – Le Stanze del Vetro: Napoleone Martinuzzi. Venini 1925 — 1931 A cura di Marino Barovier 8 Settembre 2013 — 6 Gennaio 2014
Ref 2568
Triennale delle arti decorative di Monza 1930 (version in Pulegoso by V.S.M.)
Books: Napoleone Martinuzzi. Venini 1925-1931. Ed Skirà
Domus 1929 pag. 32. Milano.
Condition report:
Pristine
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- Selling at Vinterior since 2024
- Ships from Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy
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Last updated: 24th March 2025
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