DINO MARTENS 1960 For Aureliano Toso Murano Art Glass Green Zanfirico Vase
A Zanfirico vase designed by Dino Martens (1894–1970) for Aureliano Toso.
This is a rare art-glass vase designed by the architect Dino Martens for the Aureliano Toso company, back in 1960. This vase was masterfully hand-bowed at the Aureliano Toso atelier located in the Murano island and finished with the difficult technique of Zanfirico. This is the shape model 6724 in translucent clear glass and accents of green. The splendid transparent green color gives great liveliness to this extraordinary piece of art glass.
Zanfirico
This is a complex Venetian glass technique developed in the 16th century (originally filigrana a retortoli), featuring intricate, lace-like lattice patterns created by stretching and twisting colored filigree canes. It involves gathering, heating, twisting, and pulling glass rods to form delicate, spiral-patterned, or braided, multi-colored effects, which are then used in blown vessels, cups, and sculptures.
Dino Martens
He was an Italian painter and designer particularly noted for his glass work. He trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti. He had his paintings exhibited at the Venice Biennale (1924–1930) and after his return from Italy's African wars became the artistic director of Aureliano Toso (the famous Venetian glass works). He remained there for many years producing many noted works using traditional Venetian techniques but producing some original effects, "daring" asymmetric shapes - the designs often being marked by their obvious difficulty of execution. He was also a very talented artist, his paintings were exhibited at the Venice Biennale between 1924 and 1930. In the mid-1920s, Martens was a partner and decorator for S.A.L.I.R. Martens was a master at using traditional techniques to achieve original effects. He played with bold shapes and unexpected colors to create truly unique art. Martens was born in Turin, Italy. He started his artistic career as a painter, but was soon attracted to glass art. In 1926 he joined the Venetian glass company Aureliano Toso, where he worked closely with master glassblower Antonio Salviati. During his career, Martens designed glassworks for many Italian companies, including Venini, Seguso Vetri d’Arte and Aureliano Toso. He was known for his ability to create complex and colorful glass pieces, which were often inspired by nature and organic shapes. In the 1950s, Martens began working for the glass company Aureliano Toso, where he created more abstract and modern glass pieces using spun glass and sand etching techniques.
Country: Murano Venezia, Italy.
Period: Mid-century, 1960.
Designer: Dino Martens (1894–1970).
Model: Aureliano Toso model-6724.
Edition: Unique piece.
Technique: Vertical Zanfirico.
Weight: 957 Grams, (0.96 Kg.).
Measurements: Height 241.3 mm; Diameter in the base 76.2 mm; Diameter on top is 57.1 mm. (9.5 x 3 x 2.25 Inches).
Aureliano Toso
Aureliano Toso founded the company Decorativi Rag Aureliano Toso in 1938. The renowned painter Dino Martens began designing for the company in 1939. His designed are famous for the use of patches of Aventurine, filigree canes, Latticino/Zanfirico, and multicolored murrines. The most well known designs are probably Dino Martens Oriente range.
Literature: Marc Heiremans, Dino Martens Muranese Glass Designer 1922-1963, Arnoldsche, Sttutgart 1999. Page 134, illustration 153 for this exact vase model pictured.
Condition: The overall condition of this Dino Martens vase is excellent. Beside the normal traces of wear at the base, there is absolutely no damage, cracks or repairs. This vase was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D030426ANNM/.7761
