Description
This large and magnificent vintage Murano chandelier is made from a combination of dazzling cristallo glass highlighted by moments of gold infusions and pale pinks. Prized for their elegance, along with the intricacy of techniques and history, Murano glass chandeliers continue to add brilliance to modern and traditional homes. This mid-century chandelier is no exception, created in the style of Ercole Barovier, whose designs continue to inspire and influence glass artists today. From the central bowl emerges two tiers of carefully crafted fronds, surrounding the spiraling center rod with a decorative sphere at the top. The internal structural pieces are made from warm brass, which perfectly suits the golden rigaree trim along the top crown and bottom bowl.
This piece is distinguished by the masterful combination of glassmaking techniques and surface textures. The bowl utilizes a technique that creates tiny yet stable fractures in the glass during the cooling process to resemble sparkling ice. The upper set of fronds feature a netting texture, created using the “Incisione a Reticello” technique, “reticello” coming from the Italian word for network. This involves molten glass being blown into or pressed onto a mold that is carved with a criss-cross pattern, creating an embossed effect on the glass surface. This technique can give a similar net-like appearance without the complex cane work involved in traditional Reticello.
The glass-houses on the island of Murano are famous for highly ornamented glass chandeliers created by the inflation of molten glass followed by cutting, pincering, and other rapidly executed decorations and details. This piece is primarily made of cristallo glass enhanced with 24-carat gold leaf. The golden details are concentrated on the trims, which complement the pale pink used for the upper set of fronds. The pale pinks were achieved by adding selected metal oxides to the silica during melting. To achieve a color like this an incredible amount of accuracy is required in terms of proportions and timing.
Produced in the legendary glass houses of Murano, this chandelier is not just a lighting fixture but a piece of art, reflecting centuries of glassmaking excellence. The intricate details and masterful craftsmanship make it an exceptional statement piece that promises to elevate the sophistication of any space it occupies, traditional or contemporary.
Dimensions without ceiling cover and chain: H=32 in. W=34 in. D=34 in. 40 lbs.
