20th Century Italian Carafes & 12 Glasses by Italo Varisco, Venice, Set of 14

A mid-20th Century set of 12 drinking glasses and 2 carafes. The Varisco family, renowned master glassmakers since 1930, originally hailed from the island of Murano in Venice before settling in Treviso. Internationally acclaimed and awarded, the family’s legacy was founded by Italo Varisco, the creator of this exquisitely refined glass set. The set comprises twelve flutes and two carafes, complete with stirrers, making them versatile for various uses, from cocktails to champagne. What truly sets them apart is their uniqueness: each piece is hand-blown into a hexagonal form, adorned with gold leaf detailing on the stem. Each glass bears the mark “I. Varisco” at the base.

A brief history about Murano glassware. Murano became Europe’s luxury glassmaking centre, peaking in popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries. Venice’s dominance in trade along the Mediterranean created a wealthy merchant class that was a strong connoisseur of the arts. This helped establish demand for art glass and more innovations. The spread of glassmaking talent in Europe eventually diminished the importance of Venice and its Murano glassmakers and the occupation and dissolution of the Venetian state by Napoleon Bonapartet in 1797 caused more hardship for Murano’s glassmaking industry. 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 samples ranging from Egyptian times through the present day.

CONDITION
In Great Condition – Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.

SIZE
CARAFES
Height: 28 cm // 11 in
Diameter: 11.5 cm // 4.5 in

GLASSES
Height: 21.5 cm // 8.5 in
Diameter: 8 cm // 3.1 in