Salviati Murano Zanfirico & Aventurine Glass Plate

Technical Description 

Zanfirico or ‘Vetro a Retorti’ plate from the Venetian glass manufacturer Salviati & Co, Murano. Decorated using the zanfirico technique, the pattern includes ‘lattice filigree’ outlined in copper aventurine, alternating with cased royal blue ribbons. Finished with a wide recess. Rough pontil and slag seed material consistent with its age.

Date & Origin

Island of Murano, Italy, c1870-90.

Condition 

No chips or restoration. Small star cracks around a slag seed as shown.

Dimensions 

Height: 2.8cm Diameter: 17.8cm. 

Comments

We believe this example to be slightly earlier given the execution of tight filigree spirals, cased canes and fine un-pulled finish to the rim. This pattern can be found adorning Salviati C. cherub bowls which had been early forms produced by the company c1859-72, by the mid-20th century the pattern was adapted to simple translucent canes and wide unkempt twists with a loose finish.

Zanfirico, which is a synonym for the traditional term “vetro a retorti”, takes its name from the Venetian dealer Antonio Sanquirico, who, in the 1830s, encouraged the revival of this and other techniques.