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.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Dino Martens, Aureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, 1952
Dino Martens
Oriente, 1952

Dino Martens   OrienteAureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, 1952

Vessel from the Oriente series. This model, also known as Olaf, made with irregular patches of multicolored glass, inclusions of avventurina and canes of zanfirico and reticello.

Vessel conforms with model n. 3122 of the manufacturer’s catalogue.
14 in. high (35.5 cm)
Exhibitions:
1952, Venice, 26th 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:
Mille anni…, 1982, n. 615;
Intérieurs ’50, 1983, n. 137;
W. Neuwirth, 1987, n. 95;
M. Heiremans, 1989, n. 136;
R. Barovier Mentasti, 1992, n. 104;
M. Heiremans, 1993, nn. 155, 157, 161, 162;
M. Barovier, 1994, nn. 27–29;
Venezia e la Biennale…, 1995, n. 486;
F. Deboni, 1996, nn. 152, 153.
M. Heiremans, 1996, nn. 122-124;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, 1996, nn. 203-206;
L.M. Barbero, 1997, p. 231;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 217;
M. Heiremans, 1999, n. 43;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 110-111;
R. Reif, New York Times, 2000, p. 39;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 147.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Dino Martens, Aureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, 1952
Dino Martens
Zanfirico, 1952

Dino Martens   ZanfiricoAureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, 1952

Vase from the zanfirico series, the clear glass decorated with multicolored canes of zanfirico and reticello glass.

Original paper label: Anita Kott Importer.
14 3/16 in. high (36 cm)
Exhibitions:
1952, Venice, 26th 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:
R. Aloi, 1952, n. 20;
R. Aloi, 1955, p. 31;
M. Heiremans, 1989, nn. 146, 147;
M. Heiremans, 1993, nn. 156, 166;
M. Barovier, 1994, n. 26;
M. Barovier, R. Barovier Mentasti, A. Dorigato, 1995, n. 97;
F. Deboni, 1996, p. 63, n. 150;
M. Heiremans, 1996, n. 103;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 109;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 146.

Photograph by Luca Vignelli
Dino Martens, Aureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, 1952-1954
Dino Martens
Eldorado, 1952-1954

Dino Martens   EldoradoAureliano Toso Vetri Decorativi, 1952-1954

A vase from the Eldorado series crafted with a central aperture. Composed of multicolored ground powders and avventurina glass with inclusions of canes in zanfirico
and reticello.

This model conforms
to n. 5252 in the Aureliano Toso catalogue.
11 7/8 in. high (30.2 cm)

Exhibitions:
1952, Venice, 26th 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:
R. Aloi, 1955, p. 30;
M. Heiremans, 1993, nn. 163, 164;
M. Barovier, 1994, n. 25;
M. Heiremans, 1996, nn. 144, 145;
H. Ricke, E. Schmitt, 1996, n. 210;
L.M. Barbero, 1997, p. 231;
M. Barovier, 1999, p. 215.
M. Heiremans, 1999, p. 166;
Olnick Spanu, 2000, n. 108;
Olnick Spanu, 2001, n. 145.