Venetian Salviati & C. Zanfirico & Aventurine Glass Tumbler 1859-90

Technical Description 

Zanfirico or ‘Vetro a Retorti’ glass vessel. Produced by the Venetian glass manufacturer Salviati & C. Murano. Decorated using the zanfirico technique, the pattern includes alternating ‘lattice filigree’ canes of opaque white, pink, light blue and cobalt blue, some are outlined with copper aventurine. Six clear glass raspberry prunts have been applied the the lower bowl. The cup has a continuous and constricted base that creates a concave foot with a rough pontil. Slag seed material consistent with its age.

Date & Origin

Island of Murano, Italy, c1859-90.

Condition 

Excellent, no chips, cracks or restoration.

Dimensions 

Height: 7.8cm Bowl Diameter: 5cm

Comments

Finely executed, this pattern can be found adorning Salviati C. cherub bowls which had been produced by the company c1859-72, by the mid-20th century the pattern was adapted to simple translucent canes, 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.

Traditionally, this technique is known as “latticino,” named for the combination of milk (lattimo) glass threads fused in crystal (cristallo). More modernly termed “filigrana” (filigree).