Vintage Empoli Amethyst Glass Goblet Vase Italian Clear Twist Stem MCM Art
£38.00
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Vintage Empoli Amethyst Glass Goblet Vase Italian Clear Twist Stem MCM Art
£38.00
Item Overview
- Type: Mid-Century Modern Art Glass Goblet Vase / Decorative Chalice
- Designer: Empoli Studio Artisan
- Brand: Unbranded Italian Art Glass
- Manufacturer: Empoli Region Workshops
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Place of Origin: Italy (Tuscany Region)
- Style: Mid-Century Modern Retro / Italian Murano Era / Kitsch Luxury
- Colour: Rich Amethyst Purple Bowl with a Clear Pedestal Stem and Base
- Design Era: Mid-20th Century Retro (c. 1960s / 1970s)
- Material: Hand-Blown Vintage Art Glass
- Set Includes: Single (1) One-Piece Footed Art Glass Vase
- Features: Extravagant Baluster Profile, Optic Twisted Barley Stem, Dropped Deep Well Bowl
- Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition
- Size and Capacity: Stands approximately 16.5cm (6.5 inches) tall, with a rim diameter of roughly 10cm (3.9 inches) and a base foot diameter of 8cm (3.1 inches).
Dating & Historical Context
- Dating: This striking chalice vase represents the peak period of Italian export art glass, dating production safely to the 1960s or early 1970s. The specific physical pairing of a saturated, hand-blown amethyst purple vessel alongside a clear, manipulated glass components base is a verified diagnostic combination used by Tuscan factories during this colourful design era.
- Historical Note: Hailing from the historic glassmaking hub of Empoli near Florence, Italy, this vessel highlights the region's mid-century shift from utilitarian wine carboys into highly stylized decorative showpieces. Unlike traditional Venetian Murano glass which leaned into complex internal latticino patterns, Empoli artisans focused on dramatic, bold silhouettes and vivid monochromatic colourways. Large goblet-style vases like this were originally marketed as luxury statement accents, designed to catch incoming sunlight on a retro sideboard, cocktail bar, or modernist window ledge.
Description
A sensational blast of Italian retro sophistication, this vintage Empoli art glass chalice vase makes a magnificent addition to any mid-century collection. The vessel features a dramatic, oversized balloon bowl rendered in a wonderfully deep amethyst purple that reveals glorious violet highlights under direct illumination. The structural contrast between the heavy, colourful upper bowl and the highly intricate clear base captures the playful yet elegant design ethos of post-war Italian glass artistry.
Expert Identification & Design Features:
- Barley-Twist Stem: Supported by a beautiful, hand-worked clear glass stem boasting an internal optic twist pattern that catches and refracts light brilliantly.
- Unique Keyhole Bowl Profile: Designed with an elongated lower neck chamber that drops down into the stem assembly before expanding out into a generous, rounded goblet bowl.
- Statement Display Appeal: Strikingly tall with a wide flared rim, making it highly versatile for showcasing large floral arrangements, acting as a vintage candy container, or standing solo as a sculptural ornament.
Condition Report
This piece is in exceptional vintage condition, showing no structural splits, cracks, internal hairline breaks, or flea-bite chips to the expansive upper rim. The glass remains beautifully clear and glossy, free from any cloudy hard-water staining, historic bloom, or interior residue lines. The clear twisted stem is completely flawless, and the wide pedestal foot shows only light, age-appropriate shelf-contact friction wear underneath the rim. Please inspect the macro gallery photographs with the vintage ruler to confirm the clean glass surfaces and verify scale.
Shipping & Logistics
- Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.
- Packaging: Securely double-wrapped in high-density cushioning inside a rigid box to guarantee pristine protection during transit.
- Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.
Returns & Payment Policies
We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.
- Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
- Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.