Literature
'Nuovi vetri di Venini', Domus, no. 386, January 1962, p. 39
Marino Barovier, ed., Venetian glass: The Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu Collection, New York, 2000, p. 172, fig. 141
Franco Deboni, Venini Glass: Its history, artists and techniques, Volume 1, Turin, 2007, p. 95
Franco Deboni, Venini Glass, Catalogue 1921-2007, Volume 2, Turin, 2007, fig. 235
Catalogue Essay
The present model vase was exhibited at the XXI Venice Biennale, in 1962.

The Italian chapter, Thomas Stearns at Venini

After graduating from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1959, Thomas Stearns was granted the Fullbright Travel fellowship by the Italian government and shortly afterwards became the first American to partake in an apprenticeship at Venini. This choice was made by the founder, Paolo Venini, based on flatwork window designs Stearns had produced during his student years at Cranbrook. The artist arrived in Murano in 1959, just missing his advocate who had passed away a few months before. During his time there, the artist worked alongside the maestro ‘Checco’ Ongaro however, the two men often clashed as Stearns had brought with him many new, conceptual ideas that were a far cry from the traditional techniques of the firm. Stearns was fascinated by light and designed many light fittings, alongside the glass vases and sculptures he became well-known for. During his time in Italy he became deeply inspired by the illumination and colour of Venice which is demonstrated in the titles of his most acclaimed works such as, The Sentinel of Venice (circa 1960) and Vessel for The Doge’s Tears (circa 1960). Throughout the four years in the country Stearns did not learn how to speak Italian therefore most of his works were created in isolation and through processes of trial and error. Thus, Stearns’ works may seem unconventional in comparison to other Venini works, characterised by asymmetrical designs in subdued colours (as we see in the present lot) or other larger, sculptural works evoked in broader strokes of colour. Many would argue that this breath of fresh air was welcome in a tumultuous period of Venini history; a time where, with its founder gone, it had to reassess its position. This ability to meld both notions of Abstract Expressionism and Modernism with the seamless elegance of Venini glass led to six of Stearn’s pieces to be chosen for the Venice Biennale in 1962, including the Cappello del Doge vase. Here, the Cappello del Doge is translated as the hat of the highest figure in the Venetian government, which is emulated in the shape of the design. Created with the ancient incalmo technique, made by fusing the edges of the opaque glass and transparent glass pieces requires each diameter to be of the exact same diameter, the vase cannot be mass produced, thus making Stearn’s works inherently unique. This ‘playful interpretation’ of a ‘quintessential icon’ (Susan Sacks, ‘Thomas Stearns’, Marino Barovier, ed., Venetian glass: The Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu Collection, New York, 2000, p. 27) is characteristic of the American artist’s work and what renders his pieces so identifiable. For his work at the Venice Biennale, Stearns was awarded the ‘Best of Show’ Award, an achievement never before bestowed to an American and was in fact later rescinded, as soon as the judges became aware of his monolingual nationality. The artist’s transition from functional glass to glass as sculpture is now seen as a precursor to the Studio Glass movement, where glass was seen as an artistic medium with a sculptural or decorative rather than functional statement. Towards the end of 1962 Stearns moved to New York to research the use of plastics in art and took up teaching sculpture at the Philadelphia College of Art, indicating his desire to take his glass creations to a new level. Stearn’s pieces have previously been exhibited at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and The Pennsylvania Academy of Arts. This striking piece represents a significant period in the artist’s career and would make a beautiful addition to any collection.

Property from an Important Italian Family

201

Thomas Stearns

Rare 'Cappello del Doge' vase

circa 1962
Doppio incalmo coloured and clear glass.
14.1 cm (5 1/2 in.) high, 13.5 cm (5 3/8 in.) diameter
Produced by Venini & C., Murano, Italy. Underside acid-etched venini/murano/ITALIA.

Estimate
£20,000 - 30,000

Sold for £23,750

Contact Specialist
Madalena Horta e Costa
Head of Sale
+44 20 7318 4019

Modern Masters

London Auction 26 April 2017

201
Thomas Stearns
Rare 'Cappello del Doge' vase
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
Sold for £23,750
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202
Gio Ponti
'Distex' armchair, model no. 807, and rare footstool
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
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203
Carlo Scarpa
Rare eight-armed chandelier, model no. 5334 A8
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £56,250
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204
Fulvio Bianconi
Rare vase, model no. 4426
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 ♠
Sold for £25,000
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205
Carlo Mollino
Pair of chairs, designed for the conference room, Lattes Publishing House, Turin
Estimate £160,000 - 220,000
Sold for £239,000
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206
This lot is no longer available.
207
Jean Royère
Important 'Trèfle' sideboard
Estimate £70,000 - 90,000
Sold for £149,000
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208
Kaare Klint
Three-seater box-shaped sofa, model no. 4118
Estimate £35,000 - 50,000
Sold for £43,750
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209
Jørgen Berg
Rare cabinet-on-stand, model no. 24190
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000
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210
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Rare and important ceiling light, model no. 3543NR
Estimate £120,000 - 150,000
Sold for £137,000
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211
Jean-Michel Frank
'Colonne' table lamp
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
Sold for £43,750
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212
Salvador Dalí for Jean-Michel Frank
'Dalí' floor lamp
Estimate £150,000 - 200,000
Sold for £143,000
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213
Alberto Giacometti
‘Tête de femme’ table lamp
Estimate £100,000 - 150,000 Ω
Sold for £437,000
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214
Paul Rodocanachi for Jean-Michel Frank
Set of four dining chairs
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
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215
Alberto Giacometti
Unique and large conic chandelier with four small cones, from the Tériade apartment, Paris
Estimate £1,500,000 - 2,500,000 Ω
Sold for £2,045,000
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216
Josef Hoffmann
Tea service, model no. S se 8, comprising model nos. S 5369 - S se 8-1, S 5370 - S se 8-2, S 5371 - S se 8-3, S 5372 - S se 8-4, S 5373 - S se 8-5
Estimate £40,000 - 50,000
Sold for £90,000
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217
Young Sook Park
'Moon Jar', no. 16
Estimate £120,000 - 180,000 ‡
Sold for £137,000
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218
Armand-Albert Rateau
Unique and important dining table and set of ten chairs from the hôtel particulier Thalheimer, Paris
Estimate £1,000,000 - 1,500,000
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219
Ron Arad
'Little Heavy' chair
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £31,250
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220
Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Unique bookcase, designed for Henri Ingber
Estimate £120,000 - 180,000
Sold for £215,000
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221
Joris Laarman
Important 'Bridge' table
Estimate £200,000 - 300,000 Ω
Sold for £341,000
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222
Jean Prouvé
Rare chair, model no. 4
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
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223
Jean Prouvé
'Flavigny' double bed, from the Air France Unité d’Habitation, Brazzaville
Estimate £38,000 - 42,000
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224
Jean Prouvé
Important 'Cité' armchair, from Jean Prouvé's private collection
Estimate £180,000 - 280,000
Sold for £317,000
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225
Jean Prouvé
'6 x 9' demountable house, together with 'Pyrobal' fireplace
Estimate £700,000 - 900,000
Sold for £665,000
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226
Jean Prouvé
Rare 'Visiteur' armchair, type FV. 12
Estimate £70,000 - 100,000
Sold for £203,000
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227
Gio Ponti
Unique executive desk, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £35,000 - 45,000
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228
Gio Ponti
Unique swivel armchair, from the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £12,500
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229
Gio Ponti
Unique folding table, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
Sold for £65,000
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230
Gio Ponti
Unique set of three chairs, designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £31,250
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231
Gio Ponti
Unique 'Parete organizzata', designed for the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000
Sold for £47,500
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232
Gio Ponti
Set of twelve armchairs, from the Dulciora offices, Milan
Estimate £25,000 - 35,000
Sold for £28,750
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233
Gino Sarfatti
Rare large chandelier, model no. 2109/27, executed for a private commission, France
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000
Sold for £106,250
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234
Gio Ponti
Rare coffee table
Estimate £35,000 - 45,000
Sold for £68,750
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235
Jean Royère
Rare illuminated desk
Estimate £60,000 - 80,000
Sold for £75,000
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236
Giacomo Balla
Unique vanity
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000
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237
Studio B.B.P.R.
Unique sofa, designed for the Belsana offices, Milan
Estimate £30,000 - 50,000
Sold for £31,250
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238
Pierre Jeanneret
Set of six 'Showroom' armchairs, model no. PJ-SI-49-A, possibly designed for the Tagore Theater, Chandigarh
Estimate £50,000 - 70,000
Sold for £50,000
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239
Flemming Lassen
'Third' armchair
Estimate £30,000 - 50,000
Sold for £65,000
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240
Marc Newson
Prototype 'Micarta' desk
Estimate £80,000 - 120,000
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Modern Masters

London Auction 26 April 2017

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Literature

Catalogue Essay

201

Thomas Stearns

Rare 'Cappello del Doge' vase

Modern Masters

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