c. 1935

Vase

The glass art of ancient Rome and the Renaissance inspired many artists working in this medium during the 1920s and 1930s. Under the artistic direction of Vittorio Zecchin, the Murano glassmaking firm Cappellin Venini & C. produced a variety of colorful soffiato (thinly blown) glass pieces inspired by ancient amphorae and Italian Renaissance vases. Zecchin updated these with unorthodox accents, such as unusual handles and large, flat bases. These not only became Venini’s signature designs but also inspired countless other Italian glassmakers, as seen in this vase by his contemporaries, Napoleone Martinuzzi and Francesco Zecchin.