Large Seguso Vetri d’Arte Bird Murano Glass Multicoloured

Gorgeous large Murano glass bird attributed to Seguso Vetri d’Arte.

This absolutely stunning large glass bird statue is a classic Murano.  With its intricate design and beautiful colors, this handcrafted piece is a true work of art. Add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your space with this exquisite Murano glass swan. 

Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Seguso Vetri d'Arte, originally named Artistica Soffiera e Vetreria - Barovier Seguso & Ferro, was formed in 1933 by Antonio Seguso and his sons Archimede and Ernesto, Luigi "Olimpio" Ferro, and Napoleone Barovier. Archimede Seguso was the master glassblower. Alberto Seguso, an accountant, joined as a partner in 1934. Flavio Poli also joined in 1934, as artistic director, and became a partner in the company when Luigi Ferro left in 1937. At this time, the name was changed to Seguso Vetri d'Arte s.n.c

In 1939, the factory merged with Ing. Francesco Zecchin - Vetri Artistici e Mosaici, a company they had previously collaborated with, and Francesco Zecchin became a partner of SVA. Francesco left in 1940, when he was called to serve in the war, and Alberto Seguso left in the same year. Archimede Seguso left in 1942 due to ill health. Three new master glassblowers joined as partners in 1945: Francesco Martinuzzi, Guido Seguso and Giusto Nichetto. In 1946, as production increased, three more glassblowers joined as partners: Plinio Pustetto, Umberto D'Este and Angelo Seguso. 

Production ceased in 1973 and the company was put into liquidation. Ownership of the brand name changed several times over the next few decades, until being returned to the Seguso family. Giampaolo Seguso, son of Archimede Seguso, founded Seguso Viro in 1993, with his sons Gianluca, Pierpaolo and GianAndrea. In 2009, they aquired the brand name Seguso Vetri d'Arte from the owner at that time, Amelio Cenedese.

Sources: Seguso Vetri D'Arte: Glass Objects from Murano (1932 - 1973): Complete Catalogue Since 1933 by Marc Heiremans.

A Brief History of Murano Glass

The cluster of islands known as Murano emerges from the Venetian lagoon, a vast expanse of water whose surface reflects every shift in light. Since the thirteenth century, glassmakers have observed these shimmering waters outside their workshops, a vision reflected in the art that has made Murano, and its glass masters, world-famous.

Glassblowers came to be located on Murano for two reasons. The first was to minimize fire risk in Venice. The great number of glass-firing ovens—which regularly reached some 1500 degrees Celsius—produced beautiful glass objects but also initiated fires in the city. The fire hazard must have become onerous because by the 1270s, city officials had begun to transfer glass workshops from the center of Venice to Murano, a process completed by 1291. The second reason to relocate glassmakers to Murano was probably political. Trade secrets of Murano glassmaking were already being leaked across Europe during the Middle Ages, and sequestering glassmakers on Murano allowed the Republic to control glass production and exportation, ensuring that these secrets remained in Venice. Glassmakers faced steep fines or even imprisonment if they traveled outside the Republic, though interestingly, glassmakers from Dalmatia, Bohemia, and elsewhere were occasionally authorized to work on Murano. Until the sixteenth century, Murano glassmakers held a monopoly on European glassmaking, and their stunning creations brought them renown across the world.