Alfredo Barbini - Sculpture, Snail - 10 cm - Glass

Artist: Alfredo Barbini (1912-2007),
Hailing from a family of glassmakers whose origin goes back to the 17th century, Alfredo Barbini continues the tradition by entering the Abate Zanetti Glass School in Murano at the age of ten. After an apprenticeship at S.A.I.A.R. (Società Anonima Industrie Artistiche Riunite) Ferro-Toso, then at Società Anonima Vetrerie e Cristallerie of Murano, he earns the title of maestro (master glassmaker). In 1932, he is hired by Vetri Artistici e Mosaici Zecchin-Martinuzzi, where he works alongside sculptor Napoleone Martinuzzi. In contact with the latter, his talent for modeling figurines is revealed and developed.

In 1936, at the closure of the Zecchin-Martinuzzi house, and after a brief spell at the Vetreria e Soffieria Barovier Seguso & Ferro, he continues his career with the Vetreria Artistica Muranese Società Anonima (V.A.M.S.A.) as associate and master, before joining Gino Cenedese & C. in 1946 as partner and artistic director. His attraction for hot-worked glass sculptures (a masello) remains unchanged. He presents, moreover, several series with surfaces corroded by acid (Collasso, Putto, Diana Nera, etc.), at the 25th Venice Biennale in 1950. In the same year, he opens his own workshop, the Vetreria Artistica Alfredo Barbini, of which he assumes artistic direction, while continuing to practice there as a master glassmaker.

He was joined by his daughter Oceania (administrative manager) in 1952, and by his son Flavio (designer and master glassmaker) in 1968. Alfredo Barbini continued to work with glass for more than half a century. Interested in research, he not only experimented with many techniques, but also rediscovered ancient traditional Murano techniques, adapting them to contemporary taste. He furthermore collaborated with various designers, among whom Luciano Gaspari, Vinicio Vianello, Raoul Goldon, and Napoleone Martinuzzi.

Already decorated with the Knight’s Cross of Merit in 1955 by the Italian government, Alfredo Barbini was honored in 1996 with a special prize in recognition of his exceptional career and his commitment to the art of glass. A renowned artist, his works are exhibited in the permanent collections of major European and American museums.

Snail signed at the base, Barbini Murano
The package will be well packed for transport.