Vase - Italian 'Verdigris' patinated baluster vase in neo-classical style, mid-20th century • marked - Brass

Italian 'Verdigris' patinated brass baluster vase in neo-classical style, mid-20th century • marked

specifications
Mid-century modern (grand tour revival)
dating: circa 1950 - 1970
Origin: Italy, Veneto region (Venice)
Brand: stamped on the underside 'made in Italy' with the stylized Venetian bridge symbol (Ponte di Rialto).
Material: brass (yellow copper) with chemical verdigris patina.
Technique: forced body with originally attached cast appliques.
dimensions: height: 20.5 cm | width (over the ears): 12 cm
Weight: 445 grams

description
An elegant, proportioned baluster vase with a flared, trumpet-shaped neck and a low-placed, rounded body. The object is made of brass and fully treated with an artistic, chemical patination that mimics the aesthetics of antique, oxidized bronze (verdigris). The surface displays a rich, marbled palette of emerald green, turquoise, and deep black, evoking a sense of significant age and archaeological origin.

The vase is flanked by two stylistically matching, C-shaped volute ears with stylized acanthus or shell decorations. These cast ornaments are skillfully assembled during the manufacturing process and form an integral part of the silhouette. The neck is enriched with horizontal, incised ridges that cut through the patina and reveal the golden color of the underlying brass, creating a subtle, graphic contrast.

biography and context
This object is a characteristic example of Italian decorative art from the post-war period (ca. 1950-1970). During these decades, Italian workshops experienced a boom by exporting luxury interior objects that catered to the international taste for classical antiquity ('grand tour' nostalgia), but executed in lighter, modern materials. The mark with the bridge specifically refers to a Venetian workshop, likely operating within the cluster of metalworkers around the lagoon, known for their refined finishes on brass and bronze.

history and origin
Originating from a private collection. The object bears the characteristic export mark for the Italian market, indicating it was originally sold to international travelers or exported to department stores in Europe or the US in the mid-20th century.

Expert note:
dDze Vaas distinguishes itself through the state of the patina and the presence of the Venetian trademark, which attributes it to a specific production region. The confirmation that the ears are original to the design enhances the aesthetic coherence; it is a successful example of how mid-century design elements from antiquity were translated into modern interior pieces.