Fulvio Bianconi carafe

The ‘Fasce Orizzontali’ carafe, designed by Fulvio Bianconi and produced by Venini in Murano, Italy, is an exquisite representation of mid-century Murano glass artistry and one of the more visually compelling examples of Bianconi’s exploration into form and chromatic rhythm. Created during the fertile post-war design period in Italy, this piece reflects both the innovation of its designer and the technical mastery of one of Murano’s most storied glassworks.

Crafted in hand-blown Murano glass, the carafe features alternating horizontal bands of deep cobalt blue and vibrant lemon yellow, arranged in perfectly balanced strata. These “fasce orizzontali” (horizontal bands) are characteristic of Bianconi’s fascination with color modulation and geometric rhythm. The saturated hues are seamlessly fused, demonstrating a controlled layering technique that only the most skilled Venetian glassblowers could achieve. The resulting effect is both vivid and harmonious—modern yet rooted in centuries-old tradition.

The carafe’s form is at once functional and sculptural. The body is bulbous but finely proportioned, tapering elegantly toward a slender neck. A spherical stopper, rendered in matching glass with horizontal color echoes, completes the piece—its form mirroring and reinforcing the graphic logic of the vessel below. This unification of shape and surface pattern typifies Bianconi’s design language, which often blurred the line between utilitarian object and pure art glass.

Condition-wise, this example is remarkably well-preserved. The surface is free from chips, cracks, or abrasions, and retains a brilliant clarity and luster. The cobalt and yellow tones remain intense and vibrant, with no visible signs of fading or clouding. The underside of the carafe is subtly signed “Venini Murano”, etched into the base—an essential indicator of authenticity and provenance.

Fulvio Bianconi (1915–1996) was a leading figure in the resurgence of Italian decorative arts after World War II. Known for his bold use of color and playful manipulation of form, Bianconi brought a fresh, expressive sensibility to glass design. His collaboration with Venini, which began in the late 1940s, produced a series of experimental works—often one-of-a-kind or limited in production—that have since become iconic in the field of 20th-century design. His ‘Fasce Orizzontali’ series, in particular, is notable for its formal clarity, chromatic precision, and exceptional visual impact.

Venini, founded in 1921, has long been associated with innovation and excellence in Murano glass. Under the guidance of figures such as Paolo Venini and in partnership with designers like Carlo Scarpa, Tapio Wirkkala, and Bianconi himself, the company redefined modern Venetian glass for a new era—introducing bold color palettes, modernist forms, and advanced techniques while preserving traditional craftsmanship.

The ‘Fasce Orizzontali’ carafe stands as both a collectible object and a work of art. It embodies a key moment in design history when the boundaries between function, craft, and fine art were intentionally dissolved. Today, pieces from this series are housed in major international design collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Triennale Design Museum in Milan.