A rare pair of Murano vases by Gino Cenedese, signed and labelled. 31cm (12″) high approx.
This pair of Cenedese vases is a tour de force of textural experimentation, representing the pinnacle of the Scavo technique that defined high-end Murano glass in the mid-to-late 20th century. These pieces are less like traditional glassware and more like geological artifacts, capturing the raw, elemental beauty of minerals.
Manufacturer: Cenedese (Gino Cenedese & Figlio)
This pair features a matched, elongated ovoid silhouette with subtly tapered bases and narrow, integrated rims. The simplicity of the form is intentional, serving as a canvas for the incredibly complex surface treatment.
The vases are rendered in two distinct yet complementary shades within the pink-purple spectrum:
The Left Vase: A warm, vibrant raspberry pink that leans toward a terracotta glow.
The Right Vase: A cooler, ethereal amethyst lilac.
Both pieces exhibit a variegated internal color, where the saturation shifts from deep jewel tones to pale, translucent hues depending on the thickness of the glass.
The Scavo Surface:
The hallmark of these Cenedese pieces is the heavy, crust-like texture.
To achieve this “excavated” look, the glass was rolled in chemical salts and minerals while molten, then subjected to intense heat and acid-etching once cooled.
The surface mimics the weathered patina of ancient Roman glass that has spent centuries underground. The white, chalky efflorescence settled into the deep “veins” and “fissures” of the glass creates a high-contrast, stone-like appearance that is incredibly tactile.
Under the direction of Gino Cenedese, the furnace became world-renowned for “Modern Antiquity.” While other Murano makers focused on clarity and shine, Cenedese leaned into the brutalist and organic movements. These vases represent a mastery of “controlled decay”—the ability to make a brand-new object look as though it has survived for millennia.
Finding two vases in this specific “egg” form with alternating warm and cool tones adds significant value as a curated set.
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