A large vase in pulegoso glass with ten ribbed handles and gold-leaf applications, designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini in 1928. The work exemplifies Martinuzzi’s transformation of an accidental material defect into a deliberate artistic innovation.
Pulegoso—a spongy, opaque glass composed of trapped air bubbles—emerged from Martinuzzi’s decision to embrace rather than eliminate the formation of voids during the glassmaking process. Where craftsmen traditionally regarded such bubbles as flaws, Martinuzzi recognized their sculptural and tactile potential, developing the technique into a signature material that distinguished Venini’s production during the late 1920s. The ten ribbed handles and gold-leaf accents emphasize the texture and luminosity of the glass surface, creating a work that balances functional form with experimental material exploration.
About Napoleone Martinuzzi
Martinuzzi (Venice, 1892–1977) was a designer and glassmaker whose career centered on the investigation of glass as both material and artistic medium. His work with Venini contributed significantly to the development of new techniques and aesthetic approaches in Venetian glass production during the interwar period.
Details
- Designer: Napoleone Martinuzzi
- Producer: Venini, Venice
- Year: 1928
- Material: Pulegoso glass with gold-leaf applications
- Form: Ten-handled vase with ribbed handles
Frequently asked questions
What is pulegoso glass?
Pulegoso is an opaque, spongy glass material composed of trapped air bubbles. Martinuzzi developed the technique by intentionally preserving the bubbles that form during glassmaking, transforming what glassmakers traditionally considered a defect into a distinctive aesthetic feature.
Who designed this vase?
Napoleone Martinuzzi, a Venetian designer and glassmaker (1892–1977), created the design for Venini, a prominent glassmaking firm based in Venice.
Where was this vase produced?
The vase was produced by Venini in Venice, Italy, in 1928.