Encyclopedia for Venetian Glass of the 20th Century

Drawing from a single comprehensive collection of more than 1000 works of Venetian Glass, VETRIPEDIA features mainly the most significant examples from important designers, produced by Murano glassmakers in the 20th century. The glass collection was built during more than three decades to reach the completion as shown in the three-volume publication. The VETRIPEDIA publication is designated by the date of glass production from 1895 – 1970. The three volumes chronicle all of the most influential artists, artisans and firms dedicated to the avant-garde glassmaking in Venice. Each object is comprehensively catalogued and placed into its historical context.

The VETRIPEDIA project is based on a catalogue of valuation criterions for each object – in particular the aesthetic beauty, style and proportions, artistic quality, rarity, technical difficulties of the realization and perfection of the technique, designers importance, significance of manufacturers and glass masters, historical importance and historical opinion of the critics, modernity in relation of the year of production, publication on historical edition and recent publication as well as participation in historical exhibitions. The provenance of the works, as far as it is known, is added as a supplementary criterion. The final selection of the glass objects published in the three VETRIPEDIA volumes was made using a scoring system based on the various valuation criterions.

The classification of the objects turned out to be an evolutionary process which unfolded with the discovery of unknown historical documents and publications. New insights and information about the origin and authenticity led to reclassifications of some objects. As with other art categories curator’s work is following a piece of art during its lifetime, highlighting its influence and its importance within its art category and its significance for a collection. Curatorial work lasted more than 10 years in cooperation with archives of glassmaking companies, museums, foundations, glass galleries, curators, collectors and other sources worldwide. During these years important findings could be made and there are still expectations for more discoveries. In the art market Venetian glass has developed into its own serious category of decorative art.