The revival of interest in Murano glass is associated with the name of Antonio Salviati (1819-1890). Curiously, Antonio Salviati had no experience in glass making. Born in Vicenza in northern Italy and trained as a lawyer, he started his own practice as a lawyer in Venice. His admiration for antique mosaics led to a serious passion for glass work. In 1859 he founded a new glass company on the island of Murano in collaboration with the experienced glass blower Lorenzo Radi (1803-1874). Using the experience of local glassmakers and the modern achievements of the chemical industry, his own artistic flair, connections and entrepreneurial skills, he was able to revive the production of Venetian glass.
Vase in gilded blown opalescent glass, 24 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890
The Salviati factory soon became known throughout Europe for the excellent quality of the smalt. And then Antonio expanded production and launched the production of fine art glassware in imitation of Venetian glass samples of the 16th-17th centuries. Salviati opened a firm in London and completed many commissions for mosaic work in public buildings, churches and cathedrals throughout Europe, including the restoration of the mosaics of the Venetian Cathedral of St. Mark, Cathedral of St. Paul, Westminster Abbey, etc.
Beautiful Murano glass vases by Antonio Salviati
Blown opalescent glass wine glass, 26 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Blown opalescent glass wine glass, 26 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Gruet in Girasol double-necked jug in gilded blown opalescent glass, 23 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Wine glass in dichroic glass by Benvenuto Barovier (1855-1932), height 28 cm, circa 1890Blown gilded opalescent glass flask, 23 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Pair of Solifeur vases in blown opalescent glass, 40 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Snake pitcher in gilded blown glass, 35 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Blown glass dragon bowl with gold and silver foil inclusions, 25 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Tazza with a swan, blown glass, decorated with aventurine, height 17 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Jug with dolphins in aventurine glass, height 26 cm, by Benvenuto Barovier (1855-1932), SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Glass vase with gold foil inclusions, height 23 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Blown chalcedony glass vase with white metal frame, 15 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1910Blown glass goblet with dragon, decorated with gold and silver foil inclusions, height 23 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Glass jug decorated with murrini (fused elements of multicolored glass), height 18 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1920Blown glass Smelze Inghistera vase, height 28 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Blown glass vase with aventurine, height 20 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Neo-Renaissance blown glass jug, 34 cm high, probably SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Tazza in blown opalescent glass shell with dragon and dolphin, height 31 cm, SALVIATI & C.Venetian shell vase supported by a dragon, blown glass with aventurine, 34 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Cup with lid topped with a swan figurine, molded opalescent glass, height 25.5 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1870Blown glass bowl set with precious stones, height 13 cm, by Carlo Moretti, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Blown aventurine glass vase, height 11.5 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Engraved tumbler with classical scenes in blown glass with enamel, height 13 cm, probably SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Venetian renaissance style wedding goblet in blown glass with enamel and gilt, modeled after the collection of the British Museum, London, height 16.5 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Renaissance vase in blown glass with enamel and gilding, height 21.5 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1890Vase decorated with threads of opaque glass, height 22 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Goblet in gilded blown opalescent glass, height 29 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Double-necked blown glass bottle with silver foil inclusions, height 25 cm, SALVIATI & C., circa 1880Zoomorphic blown glass jug decorated with aventurine, 30 cm high, SALVIATI & C., circa 1875
