Antiques, Decorative and Fine Arts Auction
Antiques, Decorative and Fine Arts Auction
Lot 78: Monumental Venini Murano Diamante Centerpiece by Paolo Venini and Carlo Scarpa, Acid-Signed, Italy, ca. 1934–1936
2026-04-25T15:00:00Z
Start price: CAD $200
Lot 78:
Monumental Venini Murano Diamante Centerpiece by Paolo Venini and Carlo Scarpa, Acid-Signed, Italy, ca. 1934–1936
Description
Monumental Murano glass centerpiece from the celebrated Diamante (or brilliante) series, designed by Carlo Scarpa in collaboration with Paolo Venini for Venini, circa 1934–1936.
Executed in thick, clear blown glass, the piece is distinguished by a dynamic diagonal ribbed structure producing a pronounced optical “diamond” effect. The large, sculptural form—exceptional in scale—suggests a more ambitious or possibly experimental iteration within the series, extending beyond the more commonly encountered smaller bowls.
The surface exhibits variation in execution, with one area resolving into a sharper, more faceted articulation, enhancing the interplay of light across the form. Subtle inclusions and small air bubbles are visible within the glass mass, consistent with early production techniques and contributing to the material character of the piece.
The underside bears an acid-etched “venini murano” signature.
Details
Designers: Carlo Scarpa & Paolo Venini
Manufacturer: Venini
Series: Diamante (also referred to as Brilliante)
Origin: Murano, Italy
Date: Designed circa 1934–1936
Material: Blown glass
Color: Clear
Dimensions: Approx. 40 × 34 cm
Signature: Acid-etched “venini murano” to base
Condition: Surface wear and scratches to underside consistent with age and use; internal inclusions and bubbles inherent to manufacture,
Catalogue Note
The Diamante (or brilliante) series, introduced in the mid-1930s under the artistic direction of Carlo Scarpa at Venini, represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Murano glass toward a modernist, architectonic language. Characterized by diagonally structured ribbing and pronounced optical effects, these works explore the interplay between mass, light, and surface articulation.
The series is discussed and illustrated in key literature, including Marino Barovier and Carla Sonego, Paolo Venini and His Furnace (Milan, 2018), pp. 93 ff., and Helmut Ricke and Eva Schmitt, Italienisches Glas 1930–1970 (Munich, 1996), p. 58, where the technical and formal developments of this production are examined. Related documented examples appear in Marino Barovier, Carlo Scarpa: Glass of an Architect (Milan, 1998), and the exhibition catalogue Carlo Scarpa: Venini 1932–1947 (Le Stanze del Vetro, 2012), as well as period Venini catalogues.
While most recorded examples are of more modest scale, the present work stands out for its monumental dimensions, suggesting either a special commission or a larger-scale exploration within the Diamante series.
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