Transparent like a dream and fragile like a memory, glass captures light and transforms it into an artistic creation, telling stories of craftsmanship and timeless inspiration. The very name of the auction house, Incanto ('enchantment'), seems to promise a revelation of wonders that captivate the eye and spark the imagination, as only art can.
The Important Glass from Murano and beyond + de Majo Collection sale, scheduled for December 18th at 4:00 PM (CET), features 136 lots, including pieces of rare beauty and historical value, with unique works made by some of the greatest masters of blown glass. Among the artists who have worked with the renowned Murano furnace de Majo are Yoichi Ohira, Fulvio Bianconi, Toni Zuccheri, Francesco Dei Rossi, Cristiano Bianchin, and Danilo De Rossi.
An example of technical mastery and aesthetic refinement is represented by Yoichi Ohira’s Wan series Cup, created in 1990 at the de Majo furnace. This blown glass piece with half filigree combines delicate and vibrant colors: gray and coral intertwine with shades of aquamarine and crystal, highlighted by a touch of gold at the base. The incalmo, along with the precision of the craftsmanship, demonstrates the artist’s skill in reinterpreting the Murano glass tradition in a contemporary way. Ohira, a renowned Japanese artist, spent much of his career in Venice, a city that allowed him to blend Eastern aesthetics with the Venetian glass tradition. His passion for nature, visible in his works, was influenced by elements such as gems, agate, moss, and lichens, which he translated into an abstract language that made glass an extraordinarily sensitive and luminous material. His attention to detail and chromatic research are evident in this cup, a piece that captures the essence of natural beauty through glass. This work was recently displayed in the monographic exhibition Lucio de Majo. His Artists and His Furnace in Turin, an event that celebrated the connection between the artists and the historic furnace.
Also by Ohira, the Vaso Omaggio a Piero Dorazio ('Homage to Piero Dorazio Vase'), made of cased blown glass with polychrome brushstrokes, is a unique piece that celebrates the influence of the famous Italian painter. In this work, Ohira not only pays tribute to the Master but also reflects on the glass’s ability to convey emotions and visual dynamics, much like abstract painting. The use of vibrant colors, echoing Dorazio’s compositions, highlights Ohira’s ability to express the same emotional and visual force found in the painter’s work. His passion for chromatic and material exploration is evident here: glass, despite its apparent fragility, becomes the ideal medium for a sensory experience that bridges art history and Japanese culture.
Also by Yoichi Ohira, the Marco Polo Bottle from the Venezia e l'Oriente collection, created in 1989, pays homage to the Venetian explorer, marking the 700th anniversary of his death. This refined creation in gray blown glass with coral threads and a hand-modeled jewel stopper in red, blue, crystal, and coral celebrates the link between Venice and the East—distant lands connected by the flow of cultures and artistic exchanges. The bottle was also chosen as the cover symbol for the book Lucio de Majo. His Artists and His Furnace, sponsored by the Comitato Vetri di Laguna and presented in Venice this fall. The piece stands as an emblem of the glass art tradition’s ability to tell stories and preserve ancient traditions. Ohira’s skill in reinterpreting this cultural fusion gives life to a work that is not just an art object but a tribute to the history and meeting of two worlds.
The second section of the auction is dedicated to a selection of Murano artistic glass, featuring works by renowned Italian artists and designers, or those connected to Murano furnaces, including: Paolo Venini, Flavio Poli, Mary Ann Toots Zynsky, Alfredo Barbini, Mario Pinzoni, Carlo Scarpa, Laura Diaz De Santillana, Owe Thorssen, Brigitta Carlsson, Massimo Vignelli, Borek Sipek, Giorgio Vigna, Lino Tagliapietra, Vittorio Zecchin, Ercole Barovier, Tapio Wirkkala, Tomaso Buzzi, Andrea Zilio, Michele Burato, Diego Feurer, Gabriella Bisetto, Silvano Rubino, and Vinicio Vianello.
The third section focuses on works by international artists that reflect new global trends in glass art production. Among the most prominent names are: Fritz Heckert, Mel Douglas, Scott Chaseling, Matthew Curtis, Kathy Elliott, Benjamin Edols, Tom Moore, Jonathan Baskett, Jane Bruce, Ryuhei Nadatani, David Palterer, and Tim Edwards.
The latter is represented by the contemporary sculpture Memory 2, a unique work composed of two complementary elements in blown, cut, and beaten glass. The purity of the forms and the transparency of the glass come together in a harmonious composition where technical precision interacts with a profound sense of balance and memory. Edwards, one of the leading figures in contemporary glass art, has created works exploring the concepts of memory and identity through glass. Memory 2, displayed and cited in major publications, perfectly demonstrates how glass art can be used to express intimate emotions and reflections, balancing form and content.
Incanto’s auction not only celebrates the art of glass but also invites reflection on the evolution of this tradition, from the historical masterpieces of Murano to the innovative creations of contemporary artists. Between Friday, December 13th, and Monday, December 16th, the works will be on display at the Incanto gallery in Turin, giving the public the chance to admire the craftsmanship and artistry of these extraordinary pieces up close.
The sale will take place live and online on December 18, 2024, starting at 4:00 PM (CET): a unique event for collectors, enthusiasts, and lovers of glass art.
