Amphora with two handles in pulegoso glass with light superficial iridisation

Marinuzzi’s new vetri pulegosi won clamorous success from the public at the 1928 Venice Bienniale despite being openly opposed by the more traditional critics. Along with the vase known as “del Vittoriale”, the two-handled amphora is one of the most famous pieces in the series and is distinguished from the others by its light superficial iridisation.

La Casa bella magazine praised Napoleone Martinuzzi’s glassware in 1928: “Further praise for Venini glassware is unnecessary; products of the creative whim of Vittorio Zecchin’s sense of aristocratic simplicity have found in Napoleone Martinuzzi a successor to this recent magnificent tradition whose original touches are worthy of every attention.”

Bibliography

Franco Deboni, I vetri Venini, Allemandi, Torino 2007, vol. II, fig. 18; Marino Barovier, Napoleone Martinuzzi. Venini 1925-1931, Skira, Milan 2013, exhibition catalogue (Venice, Le Stanze del Vetro, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, 8th September 2013 - 6th January 2014), page 207.