Glass vase in orange shades with silver animals decoration. Beautiful piece made by Marco Susani and Elizabeth Vidal for the HWC collection, curated by Sottsass Associati for Egizia. Italy, 1990s Dimensions Height: 10.04 in (25.5 cm) Diameter: 3.94 in (10 cm) Whilst the Memphis movement in the eighties attracted enormous attention around the world for its energy and flamboyance, Ettore Sottsass was simultaneously assembling a major design consultancy which he named Sottsass Associati. The studio was established in 1980 and gave the possibility to build architecture on a substantial scale as well as to design for large international industries. This vase, designed for Egizia, is a rare example of the continuity of the magnificent collaboration. E G I Z I A   Luxury design handmade in Italy Founded in 1949 in Poggibonsi, Tuscany, Italy, as a glass decorating company Egizia has grown from its beginnings producing decorated wine bottles for the neighboring Chianti region of Italy to an innovator in the area of glass.  Utilizing a proprietary process each piece is hand screen printed with their signature work involving the application of silver which is fused onto the glass.  For pieces with color, each color represents a separate pass with a screen.  Relief detail is also applied with powdered crystal that is then fused onto the surface of the glass.  All printing is heated to over 500 degrees Celsius to form a permanent bond.  The company is now part of a larger crystal and glassware company based within the region which is also the center of crystal production for Italy.
 
In a desire to establish their own product line, Egizia entered the tabletop arena with collaboration with Ettore Sottsass of the Memphis Group to make design part of each functional piece.  Each work bears a signature or credit to the designer who created it, printed subtly as part of the decoration.  The” Handle With Care” line continues to be current and the designs fresh years later. Subsequent lines have been homages to great designers and artists, William Morris, Gustav Klimt, Mariano Fortuny.  More recent collaborations have been with Karim Rashid, Paola Navone and Flavia de Souza.  Once the customer understands the artistry behind the piece and the design value a greater appreciation is garnered. A creative school was founded by Ettore Sottsass; SOTTSASS ASSOCIATI Sottsass Associati, primarily an architectural practice, also designed elaborate stores and showrooms for Esprit, identities for Alessi, exhibitions, interiors, consumer electronics in Japan and furniture of all kinds. The studio was based on the cultural guidance of Ettore Sottsass and the work was conducted by the talent and energy of its associates. Over the years the associates came and went often to open their own studios, these were young architects and designers which included: Johanna Grawunder,  Marco Zanini, Matteo Thun, Aldo Cibic, Marco Susani, James Irvine, Mike Ryan, Gerry Taylor, Christoph Radl, Mario Milizia and Christopher Redfern. Sottsass Associati are presently based in London and Milan and continue to sustain the work, philosophy and culture of the studio.