Christie’s is pleased to announce the sale of Carlo Scarpa: Visions in Glass 1926-1962. A Private European Collection, taking place on May 4, 2017 at Christie’s New York. The sale features the only single-owner collection of works by the Venetian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa ever to be sold at auction to this day.
Encompassing approximately 90 pieces of Italian art glass, the collection provides an overview of the pioneering styles Scarpa created for M.V.M. Cappellin and subsequently Venini between the years 1926 and 1962. In his collaboration with the two glassmakers and in particular with Venini, Scarpa developed a modern vocabulary for the century-old techniques of glass making and paved the way for the resurgence of the island of Murano as a center of glass with a modern outlook. Deeply influenced by his training as an architect, Scarpa developed a range of new surface treatments and techniques, while being inspired by ancient Roman glass as well as Chinese works of art.
The pieces included in this collection encompass over forty years of his creations, offering a body of work which is unparalleled at auction. Incredibly modern and rich of a great variety of shapes, colors, and techniques, these objects laid the roots of contemporary glass-making in Venice and beyond. Highlights include An Important ‘Murrine Opache’ Dish, circa 1940 (estimate: $100,000-150,000), A Rare ‘Murrine Romane’ Vase, circa 1936 (estimate: $40,000-60,000); and A Rare ‘Velato-Inciso’ Vase, circa 1940 (estimate: $30,000-40,000).
About Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978)
Born in Venice, Carlo Scarpa was a unique figure among second generation Modern architects, being at once deeply embedded in the historical culture of Venice, and at the same time weaving the most Modern of spatial conceptions into its material fabric. At the very beginning of his career as an architect, the first traditional material Scarpa engaged with was glass, one of the most ambiguous, allusive and atmospheric materials employed in the making of architecture. In his work with Cappellin and Venini, starting in 1926, Scarpa explored the glass-making art, recovering ancient Roman techniques as well as discovering new methods of transforming glass.
- May 4, 2017
- 20 Rockefeller Center, New York, NY, 10020
Auction
- May 4th, 2:00 PM, Lots 1 – 88
Viewing
- Apr 29th, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Apr 30th, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- May 1st, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- May 2nd, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- May 3rd, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, had global auction, private and digital sales in first half of 2017 that totalled £2.35 billion / $3 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.
Alongside regular sales online, Christie’s has a global presence in 46 countries, with 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
