Description
Vintage Maestri Vetrai Italian Art Glass Pedestal Centrepiece Bowl
A substantial vintage Italian art glass pedestal centrepiece bearing its original Maestri Vetrai label, together with a surviving Made in Italy label to the underside.
The broad shallow bowl is worked in a rich golden amber glass with irregular dark brown to near-black inclusions creating a dramatic tortoiseshell or leopard-like pattern.
Fine mottling throughout the amber ground gives the glass considerable visual depth, particularly when illuminated.
The bowl is raised on an integral sculptural pedestal with a broad circular foot, repeating the dark spotted decoration and creating a striking profile from every angle.
At approximately 29.5 cm across and weighing more than 1.8 kg, this is a substantial decorative piece suitable as a centrepiece, display bowl or addition to a collection of vintage Italian art glass.
Comparable labelled Maestri Vetrai objects are frequently described in the secondary market as Murano glass.
This example retains a Maestri Vetrai label and a Made in Italy label; however, TMC Emporium has conservatively described its documented origin as Italian rather than attributing it to a particular Murano furnace without further documentary evidence.
Details
Maker/Label: Maestri Vetrai
Origin: Italy
Type: Pedestal centrepiece bowl
Material: Art glass
Colour: Golden amber, brown and near-black
Pattern: Tortoiseshell / leopard-style mottled decoration
Dimensions
Approximately 29.5 × 28.5 cm across
Approximately 15 cm high
Weight approximately 1,842 g
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. No chips or cracks observed. Both the Maestri Vetrai label and Made in Italy label remain present. Minor surface wear may be present consistent with age and previous display.
Please inspect all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description and condition report.
Collector’s Note
The surviving Maestri Vetrai label is an important feature of this piece and assists with its identification as Italian art glass. The term maestri vetrai translates broadly as “master glassmakers” and has long associations with Venetian glassmaking.
Objects bearing comparable Maestri Vetrai labels are frequently marketed internationally as Murano glass. However, a Made in Italy label alone does not establish manufacture on the island of Murano. The formal Vetro Artistico® Murano origin mark was established by Veneto regional law in 1994 and is specifically restricted to authorised producers manufacturing on Murano.
For that reason, TMC Emporium describes this example conservatively as Italian Maestri Vetrai art glass, while acknowledging its close relationship to the Murano/Venetian glass tradition.
Browse More Vintage Italian Art Glass for Sale →
Read our Maestri Vetrai Italian Glass History, Labels & Identification Guide →
About TMC Emporium
TMC Emporium offers an evolving collection of vintage, collectable and decorative items sourced throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each item is individually photographed and described, with care taken to accurately represent its condition.
Code TMCEJC-000024 UP
