Zecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici 1932–1938

In 1932, the two Muranese partners of Paolo Venini—engineer Francesco Zecchin and the sculptor and designer Napoleone Martinuzzi—left the Vetri Soffiati Muranesi Venini & C. and founded their own company: Zecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici. Its production was directed by Martinuzzi who, inspired by the sculptural qualities of the Novecento movement, created large vessels in opaque glass, animals, and cactus in pasta vitrea and female nudes in massiccio glass. In some cases, the company also collaborated with Mario Romano and Giovanni Guerrini. Napoleone Martinuzzi left the company in 1936, and after two years Francesco Zecchin closed it for good.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Napoleone Martinuzzi, Zecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Incamiciato, 1933

Napoleone Martinuzzi   IncamiciatoZecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933

Footed bowl in lattimo glass cased in amethyst glass. Foot decorated with a twisted cord.

7 1/4 in. high (18.4 cm)

Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 26.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Napoleone Martinuzzi, Zecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Pasta vitrea, 1933

Napoleone Martinuzzi   Pasta vitreaZecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933

Coral red-footed vase composed of pasta vitrea with an applied twisted red glass side handle. Both foot and handle are decorated with gold leaf.

Paper label: Pauly & C.,
Pauly & C., a Venetian retail showroom, always affixed its own label to the Muranese glass it sold.
12 13/16 in. high (32.5 cm)

Exhibitions:
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Barovier, 1992, n. 40;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 16;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 25.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Napoleone Martinuzzi, Zecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Incamiciato, 1933

Napoleone Martinuzzi   IncamiciatoZecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933

Footed plate in light blue cased incamiciato glass. Foot in red
pasta vitrea glass decorated with applications of gold leaf.

3 1/2 in. high (9 cm)
Ø; 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)

Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Barovier, 1992, n. 44;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1994, n. 24;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 173;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 24.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Napoleone Martinuzzi, Zecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Incamiciato, 1933

Napoleone Martinuzzi   IncamiciatoZecchin-Martinuzzi Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, 1933

Vessel in thin, blue cased glass.

10 in. high (25.4 cm)

Exhibitions:
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu,
Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
M. Barovier, 1992, n. 55;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, n. 58;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 23.