“A macchie” bowl with abstract decor interior in black glass on blue background, highly iridised surface

The series of “a macchie” items presented at the 1942 Venice Biennale was one of Scarpa’s last joint efforts with Venini and provides an example of the most experimental glassmaking research of the time. The prices were listed in the company’s catalogue for a very brief time immediately after the war.

Marta Laudani recalls how Carlo Scarpa’s love for research resembled that of the craftsman’s characterized by an exploration of the old techniques to be combined with innovative approaches. He moulded, invented and verified his shapes and colours of glass, defining new techniques with amazing results in the process.

Bibliography

Marino Barovier, Carlo Scarpa. Glass of an Architect, Skira, Milan 1999, pages 184, 224 no. 274; Marina Barovier (editor), Carlo Scarpa. Venini 1932-1947, Skira, Milan, 2012, exhibition catalogue (Venice, Le Stanze del Vetro, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, August 29, 2012 – January 6, 2013), page 446.