ANTONIO DA ROS, (Italy, 1936 - 2012).
Vase. Murano, second half of the 20th century.
Blown Murano glass.
Measurements: 21 x 12 x 6 cm.
This elegant vase is entirely made of hand-blown Murano glass with an opaline finish in bluish tones.
Antonio da Ros graduated in 1957 from the Istituto Superiore di Arti Decorativo 'Carmini' in Venice, obtaining the title of professor of decorative arts and architecture. In 1958 he started working at the gino Cenedese glass factory (then Ars Cenedese Murano). Mr. Da Ros remained a permanent presence at the Cenedese glassworks, always working in close collaboration with the master glass artisans. Under his art direction, the factory developed various decorative lines of contemporary design, always at the highest level. First, with the stylised shapes with immersion of coloured glass; in recent years, with the technique of 'scavo' glass (a particular glass finish, similar to glass brought to light in archaeological excavations), an important decorative line has been introduced in several new creations, all of which are highly attractive for the simplicity of the lines, the preciousness of the material and the modernity of the colours.
His latest works were a return to traditional Murano hand-blown glass techniques, but reinterpreted with a contemporary sensibility; such as the 'venecia dreams' collection, as well as the 'Venezia I' and 'Venezia II' collections.
The high value of Murano glass is explained by the artisanal and secret process of its makers. Made on the Italian island of Murano, this glass has special properties and offers colours and shapes unlike any other glass. The history of Murano glass manufacturing dates back to the 8th century. By the 12th century Venice had become extremely popular for its fine glass. To keep the glass-making business unique and profitable, a law was passed in 1271 stating that no foreign glass could be imported for manufacture and no foreign glass workers could be hired. However, in the 13th century all glassmaking furnaces were moved by law from Venice to Murano, because the fires in them posed a great risk to the wooden structures of Venice. In combination, these two laws ensure that Murano glass is still unique today; created by artists and craftsmen from a small group of islands in Italy. The secrets of glass making have been passed down from father to son and from master to apprentice.