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Historical Collection of Italian Glass: Bonhams New York
On Thursday, October 7, Bonhams New York will present Important Italian Glass: The Paul Gresswell-Wilkins Collection. This 153-lot single-owner sale features a visual trove of historically important glass pieces from throughout the late 19th and 20th century. Represented in the sale are the key names in glassmaking as well as art, architecture, and furniture design – including Carlo Scarpa, Fulvio Bianconi, Ercole Barovier and Gio Ponti, to name just a few. Among the sale highlights is a unique Anfora Ape vase by Dino Martens (1894-1970). This form, which the artist never repeated, was exhibited in the Venice Biennale in 1952. It is estimated at $30,000 – 50,000.
Bonhams International Director of Modern Decorative Art & Design, Dan Tolson, commented, “Dino Martens was an exceptional powerhouse of creativity with a unique eye for form, colour and technique that set his work apart from other 20th century Italian glass masters. The vase on offer in our October sale is incredibly rare, standing as the first example of his now renowned ‘Oriente’ series. We are thrilled to offer it alongside 152 additional rare examples of the finest in Italian glass from the collection of Paul Gresswell-Wilkins.”
The auction also includes a Rare Variegati Vase, circa 1942 by Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978). Highly regarded for his skilled work as an architect and designer, Scarpa was known for pulling his influences from materiality. The vase on offer is a wonderful example of the explorative nature with which he approached material, with an iridized surface, applied with horizontal bands of variegated amber glass. It is estimated at $50,000 – 70,000.
Represented in the sale are the key names in glassmaking as well as art, architecture, and furniture design – including Carlo Scarpa, Fulvio Bianconi, Ercole Barovier and Gio Ponti, to name just a few.
A preview of the auction will be on public view from September 29th through October 6th at Bonhams New York, 580 Madison Ave, New York, NY.