Decorative Art Glass: Rare Murano Mid-Century "Scavo" Lidded Glass Urn

Decorative Art Glass: Rare Murano Mid-Century "Scavo" Lidded Glass Urn

R 1,150.00
R 1,150.00
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Decorative Art Glass: Rare Murano Mid-Century "Scavo" Lidded Glass Urn
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Decorative Art Glass: Rare Murano Mid-Century "Scavo" Lidded Glass Urn

Decorative Art Glass: Rare Murano Mid-Century "Scavo" Lidded Glass Urn

A deeply soulful, poetic masterwork of Italian post-war design, this large, lidded art glass urn is a spectacular testament to the historic glasshouses of Murano, Venice. Hand-blown utilizing the secretive, ancient-revival "Scavo" technique, the translucent glass body is enveloped in a dense, chemically fused matte-white incrustation that perfectly mimics the weathered, mineral-scaled surface of a Roman or Etruscan artifact excavated from volcanic soil. The classical neoclassical amphora form features dual hand-applied loop side handles and is accompanied by its ultra-rare, matching original high-domed glass lid with an elegant spun knob.

This specific piece carries a dramatic, highly conversational history. The main body exhibits an extensive, honest structural fracture that has been creatively stabilized on the interior basin with a native layer of orange candle wax by a previous custodian. Rather than detracting from its presence, this historic stabilization allows the vessel to function perfectly as an architectural display lantern. When illuminated from within by a modern wireless battery-operated candle, the crack acts as an organic fault line, casting a warm, magical amber glow through the heavily textured glass walls. It stands as an exceptional, highly evocative curiosity for a discerning interior archive.

Original Intended Use: Premium luxury Murano art glass display centre-urn or lidded confectionery jar. Alternate suggested use: A high-impact atmospheric console lantern lit with a battery-operated LED candle, or a dramatic centrepiece curiosity for an eclectic library or mantle.
More Details
  • Rare, complete hand-blown mid-century Murano "Scavo" art glass urn with matching lid.
  • Specialized Venetian chemical-fused frosted incrustation mimicking ancient Roman antiquity.
  • Dual hand-applied glass loop side handles showing classic pontil tool pinch marks.
  • Natively stabilized interior basin featuring historical amber/orange wax reinforcement.
  • An exceptional architectural display artifact optimized for modern battery-candle lighting.
Did you Know?

The "Scavo" technique was perfected in Murano during the 1950s by master glass chemists to replicate artifacts found in Pompeii excavations. While the glass object was still red-hot on the blowpipe at roughly 800°C, the artisan dusted the surface with a secretive mixture of potassium carbonates, sand, and metal salts. The intense furnace heat vaporized the chemicals, permanently fusing a rough, multi-layered mineral crust into the glass matrix that cannot be washed or scrubbed off, beautifully capturing the spirit of Wabi-Sabi aging.
Origin & Era

Made in Murano, Venice, Italy, Circa 1950s / 1960s, making this urn 60+ years old.
Dimensions

Approximate Dimensions: Total Height with Lid Seated 21.5cm (8.46 inches) | Outer Rim Lip Diameter 18cm (7.08 inches) | Maximum Outer Width Across Handles 24cm (9.44 inches) | Base Foot Diameter 15.5cm (6.1 inches).
Vintage Condition

Highly dramatic, damaged vintage collector condition. The hand-blown glass retains its exceptional, heavily textured mineral crusting across both the main urn and the original matching lid. Visible Flaws: This vessel exhibits a major, extensive post-production structural fracture running completely through the side wall and lower basin of the urn body. This crack has been historically sealed and stabilized on the interior floor with a thick puddle of vintage orange/amber candle wax, rendering the piece structurally stable for dry decorative display, though it strictly cannot hold water or liquid. The original lid is structurally intact and free from chips, sitting flush onto the upper rim.
Price
R 1,150.00
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