Flavio Poli 1900–1984

A designer, businessman, and ceramic artist, Flavio Poli was born in Chioggia. He attended the Istituto d’Arte di Venezia and began work as a designer in ceramics. In 1929 he switched to glass and designed animals, splendid Novecento-style nude figures in massiccio glass, as well as bowls and urns with figures resting on the inside, on lids or as handles for Libero Vitali’s I.V.A.M. He subsequently collaborated with the Compagnia di Venezia e Murano, with the furnace of Mario and Lino Nason, and with the engraver Gino Francesconi. In 1934, he accepted the artistic direction of Barovier, Seguso & Ferro, later to become Seguso Vetri d’Arte, and became partner three years later. Together with Archimede Seguso, maestro of the principal team, Poli authored grandiose lighting installations, corroded vessels, sculptures in bulicante glass, and animals in massiccio glass. These productions represented a milestone in the development of the glassworks of Murano. At the height of his artistic maturity, in the years between 1950 and 1960, he designed a series of sommerso glass pieces in a Nordic style—essential forms and sharp cold colors—which were awarded prestigious prizes (Compasso d’Oro). He left Seguso in 1963 and between 1964 and 1966, he organized the artistic glass division at the Società Veneziana di Conterie e Cristallerie.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Valva
Seguso Vetri d'Arte, 1954

Flavio Poli ValvaSeguso Vetri d'Arte, 1954

A sculptural vase shaped like a clam shell; composed of transparent grey sommerso in cristallo glass.

17 7/8 in high (45.5 cm)
Exhibitions:
1954, Venice, 27th Biennale Internazionale d’Arte;
2000, New York, Venetian Glass, Museum of Arts & Design;
2001, Milan, Murano: Vetri dalla Collezione Olnick Spanu, Spazio Oberdan.

Bibliography and comparative texts:
Domus, September, 1954;
R. Aloi, 1955, p.2;
G. Mariacher, 1967, p. 141;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1977, n. 136;
Mille anni…, 1982, n. 639;
Die funfziger…, 1984, n. 10;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, n. 223;
La verrerie…, 1988, nn. 1, 6;
M. Heiremans, 1989, n. 113;
M. Karasik, 1989, n. 45;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti,
A. Dorigato, 1995, n. 112;
M. Heiremans, 1996, n. 120;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, 1996, n. 13;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 209;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 112;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 151.

Seguso Vetri d'Arte  1937–1972

In 1933, several maestri who had left Vetreria Artistica Barovier, together with Archimede, Ernesto, and Alberto Seguso, founded the Vetreria e Soffieria Barovier Seguso & Ferro. Muranese painter Vittorio Zecchin took on the art direction for a short time with Flavio Poli replacing him in 1934.

The company was reorganized in 1937 to become Seguso Vetri d'Arte. At this time, Poli also became a partner, and with the assistance of the maestro Archimede Seguso, they created animals and sculptures in thick glass, which were widely acclaimed at the Biennali of that period. After a new company reorganization in the '50s and '60s, the glasshouse produced a remarkable series of sommersi pieces, as well as the Valve and the unique Siderali pieces. The latter were designed by Poli, who remained in the company until 1963. After he left, Mario Pinzoni took over the artistic direction and remained stylistically faithful to his predecessor. Since the early '60s, the company has been directed by Maurizio Albarelli.

Valva
Seguso Vetri d'Arte, 1954