Christopher Ries

Desert Flower

1996

Dimensions: 15.5 X 7 X 7 in. The organic shaped vase showcases an applied light gold colored threaded design enveloping the clear body, around. Hand signed Constantini S. It came from an important estate in the Palm Beach area. Made in Murano, handmade according to the ancient Murano glass tradition. Master Sergio Costantini was born in Venice in 1956 and learned the technique of glass processing from the famous Master Glassmakers of Murano A. Barbini, Licio Zanetti, L. Mellara. His works are exhibited globally in the most important museums and art galleries. Venetian glass (Italian: vetro veneziano) is thought to have been made for over 1,500 years, and production has been concentrated on the Venetian island of Murano since the 13th century. Murano glassmakers created cristallo—which was almost transparent and considered the finest glass in the world. Murano glassmakers also developed a white-colored glass (milk glass called lattimo) that looked like porcelain. They later became Europe's finest makers of mirrors. Murano glassmaking began a revival in the 1920s. Today, Murano and Venice are tourist attractions, and Murano is home to numerous glass factories and a few individual artists' studios. Its Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) in the Palazzo Giustinian contains displays on the history of glassmaking as well as glass sculpture samples ranging from Egyptian times through the present day. The Venetian glassmakers of Murano are known for many innovations and refinements to glassmaking. Among them are Murano beads, cristallo, lattimo, chandeliers, and mirrors. Additional refinements or creations are goldstone, multicolored glass (millefiori), and imitation gemstones made of glass. Aventurine glass, also known as goldstone glass, is translucent brownish with metallic (copper) specks. Calcedonio is a marbled glass that looked like the semi precious stone chalcedony. This type of glass was created during the 1400s by Angelo Barovier, who is considered Murano's greatest glassmaker. Ercole Barovier, a descendant of Murano's greatest glassmaker Angelo Barovier, won numerous awards during the 1940s and 1950s for his innovations using the murrine technique. Sommerso is a form of artistic Murano glass that has layers of contrasting colors (typically two), which are formed by dipping colored glass into another molten glass and then blowing the combination into a desired shape. The outermost layer, or casing, is often clear. Sommerso was developed in Murano during the late 1930s. Flavio Poli was known for using this technique, and it was made popular by Seguso Vetri d'Arte and the Mandruzzato family in the 1950s. This process is a popular technique for vases, and is sometimes used for sculptures. Some of Venice's historical glass factories in Murano remain well known brands today, including De Biasi...

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