Bidspirit auction | Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano

Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano Sommerso Bowl with Gold Inclusions, Signed, c. Late 1930s–1940s - A substantial and visually rich Murano glass bowl designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini & C., dating to the late 1930s–1940s. The vessel is executed in thick-walled sommerso construction, featuring a deep ruby-toned interior encased within a clear outer layer. Suspended between these strata are dense micro-bubble inclusions and scattered gold foil, producing a luminous, textural surface with pronounced optical depth. The composition demonstrates a sophisticated interplay of color, light, and internal structure, hallmarks of Scarpa’s early design language at Venini. The underside is finished with a polished lens pontil and bears a four-line acid-etched signature: VENINI MURANO MADE IN ITALY Details Designer: Carlo Scarpa (1906–1978) Manufacturer: Venini & C. Origin: Murano, Italy Date: Circa late 1930s–1940s Technique: Sommerso with air and gold foil inclusions Material: Hand-blown glass Color: Ruby interior with clear casing and gold inclusions Signature: Acid-etched “VENINI MURANO MADE IN ITALY” (four-line mark) Dimensions: Approx. 10 cm diameter (3¾ in.); height approx. 6 cm (2¼ in.) Condition Very good overall condition Light surface wear and base abrasions consistent with age No cracks, chips, or restorations observed Catalogue Note Carlo Scarpa’s early work for Venini in the late 1930s represents a critical moment in the evolution of modern Murano glass, where traditional techniques were reinterpreted through a more architectural and materially expressive lens.  Comparable finishes are illustrated in I Vetri di un Architetto (see p. 110), while closely related forms appear (see p. 205, no. 30), situating this example within Scarpa’s documented Venini production. The presence of the four-line acid-etched mark supports a dating in the late 1930s to 1940s, aligning with the period in which such signatures became more consistently applied. https://issuu.com/kavanagh-auctions/docs/kavanagh_auctions_-carlo_scarpa_venini_collection_