Anzolo Fuga 1915–1998

Anzolo Fuga was born on Murano. He apprenticed as a draftsman at the Cristalleria di Venezia e Murano and attended the Istituto d’Arte di Venezia, where he studied under Guido Balsamo Stella. In 1954, he opened a shop for the decoration of blown glass and the art of stained-glass windows, and it was there that he began to use sheets of Murano glass blown and decorated in hot-work: his colorful stained glass windows were successfully exhibited in several editions of the Biennale. He was director of the Abate Zanetti School of Art for Glassworkers from 1949 through 1972, and he collaborated freelance with several workshops after the late ’50s. Among them was A.VE.M., for whom he created large pieces with asymmetric shapes and abstract decor, using murrine and glass rods in almost all of his brightly colored collections. During this time, he also collaborated with Domus Vetri d’Arte and IVR Mazzega.

Anzolo Fuga FioriAureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, ca. 1968

A group of six flowers made in transparent glass. All decorated with murrine and multicolored glass canes. Each flower sits on a metal base that emulates leaves and stems.These flowers are prototypes and were never produced.

14 5/16 in. to 18 3/4 in. high
(36.4 to 47.6 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:
Howard J. Lockwood, 2000, cover;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 144;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 182.

Aureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi 1932–

Founded in 1938 by Aureliano Toso, Aureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi boasted the artistic direction of Dino Martens, a painter from Murano, who worked with the company until 1965. The works created by Martens brought widespread acclaim at the major exhibitions of decorative arts, the colors being of particular interest. In 1962, the company sought the collaboration of outside consultants like Enrico Potz. After 1966, the artistic direction was entrusted to Gino Poli, who designed, among others, the collection A Solchi Colorati. Later, the company turned to the production of glass parts for lighting, which it still produces today.