For Sale is a hard to find Art Glass Vase made by Fratelli Toso (Murano) of Italy. This Decoration on this Vase is called Millefiori or Thousand Flower. This Vase is a lovely Cabinet Size as it stands 5 3/8" tall and is 2"5/8 in diameter at its widest point.

The Vase has an Acid Matte Frosted background base glass. It displays a Matte Frosted base glass that is blown in the Phoenician-style. It has beautiful Burnt Orange with Deep Blue Millefiori Flower Canes that are accented with a deep white border. These are set against a soft blue background with the outer border being a deeper contrast Blue.

The Vase has a Classical Shape that is accented on both sides with Applied Looped Handles that rises from the waist of the vessel and loops over and connects to the center of the neck. The quality of the Handles is just outstanding where it is applied to the body. You can see where the glass is folded back in a spade shape on both sides at the neck and a fancier double fold where it attaches to the waist. You can feel the raised Decoration on the vase when you run your fingers across it.

The Vase is considered to be in excellent condition as there are no cracks, nicks, chips or dings. The piece is not signed but there is no doubt that this piece was made by Fratelli Toso. You can tell this piece was blown from the bottom as there is a small Pontil Scar.

This is a Rare and early Piece of Murano Art Glass. If you looking for a hard to find decor that is tastefully executed and is of high quality you need to look no further. I'm Positive the buyer will be delighted with their purchase. This piece of glass was made, Circa 1920-1930.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANY

Fratelli Toso company is credited with being responsible for the revival in artistic glass-making in Murano.After the fall of the Venetian republic in 1797, Murano suffered the devastating occupation of Napoleon's troops in 1800. Its palaces, churches, monasteries and wonderful orchards were destroyed and Murano lived through a period of demolition and hardship that lasted until the middle of the century. The lack of orders led to almost all of the factories being closed, and many masters emigrated abroad. In a short time the culture and technique of artistic glass-making was forgotten. In 1854 in that which was left of the Scuola Grande di S.Giovanni dei Battuti, six brothers, the sons of PIETRO TOSO established a company They were: Ferdinando, Carlo, Liberato, Angelo, Giovanni, Gregorio.

Initially production, like in the rest of Murano, was of an inferior quality. The ability to make glass by hand had been lost, and objects were made for domestic or pharmaceutical use: bottles for the Carmelite friars' lemon-balm and flasks or smaller bottles for oils and tinctures. Gregorio Toso, the first manager of the company, was appointed to run Fratelli. It was during this period that the abbot Vincenzo Zanetti approached Gregorio Toso and asked him to allow one of the brothers to learn how to make the precious pieces produced by hand prior to 1800. We will skip ahead 80 years. In 1880 on Fondamenta Colleoni the offices and showroom were built with a new oven inside. In 1884 on one side of the ovens, a room for packing and grinding glass was created. The Fratelli Toso, continued to be a family run company even if the number of employees had increased to approximately 30.

In 1897 Gregorio Toso died at the age of 62. At the beginning of the century the children of the founders became part of the company to help with its organization, and in 1901 in Murano, with a shop on Rialto Bridge in Venice, a limited partnership company was established: "ANTICA VETRERIA FRATELLI TOSO" for the production of chandeliers, common and artistic glass objects. Lorenzo Toso and Nicolo' Toso were appointed as MANAGERS. The business underwent a great period of growth at this time.

When the W.W.I broke out activity was reduced to a minimum and after the Kobarid defeat in March 1917 the factory was transferred to Livorno. When the factory returned to its original site, the business recovered beautifully and two new ovens were built.

In 1924, Archimede Toso, son of Giuseppe who died in 1915, was appointed manager. The glassworks expanded in 1925 with the acquisition of a warehouse from some marble merchants on SAN GIOVANNI DEI BATTUTI fondamenta. The number of employees increased during this time, reaching 90.

Murano Glass has a rich history and is still producing Glass today through some of the Decendants.

Antique Glass
Antique Art Glass