Vase in golden lattimo glass with application of gold leaf

Lattimo glass had been used since the 16th century as imitation porcelain, from which it borrowed shapes accompanied by glazed or enamel decoration. Carlo Scarpa resumed its use in a series of wares around the end of the 1920s. This milky glass material was initially used for classic motifs in refined forms without the addition of decorative elements. In his subsequent, even more essential creations, he enhanced lattimo glass with gold and silver leaf.

Gio Ponti, a great admirer of Scarpa's work in Murano, defined these creations as milk glass of pure, simple design.

Bibliography

Marina Barovier (editor), Carlo Scarpa. I vetri di Murano 1927-1947, Il cardo, Venice 1991, page 50, no. 5; Marino Barovier (edited by), Carlo Scarpa. Glass of an Architect, Skira, Milan 1999, pages 76, 196 no. 66.